Volunteer With Us
Be part of something special. Change lives, one smile at a time.
What we're looking for in a volunteer
We’re looking for enthusiastic, reliable people who want to make a difference in children’s lives.
- Support children on their seaside holiday
- Help run fun activities, games and trips
- Get involved with fundraising events and campaigns
- Be a role model and a friendly face
No experience is needed – just kindness, energy, and a willingness to learn. Training, induction and safeguarding checks are provided.
Holiday Care Team Volunteers
By working directly with the children – offering encouragement, building trust, sharing experiences, and creating moments of joy – our volunteers play a vital role in helping each child get the very best from their time away. Care Team Volunteers ensure that every holiday is not just a break from routine, but a safe, supportive, and memorable experience that can build confidence, spark aspiration, and leave a lasting positive impact.
We need volunteers for our core holiday offer next year for the following dates –
Week 1 – Monday 25th to Friday 29th May (half term week)
Week 2 – Monday 27th to Friday 31st July
Week 3 – Monday 3rd to Friday 7th August
Week 4 – Monday 10th to Friday 14th August
Week 5 – Monday 17th to Friday 21st August
Week 6 – Monday 24th to Friday 28th August
Week 7 – Monday 26th to Friday 30th October (half term week)
No experience is needed – just kindness, energy, and a willingness to learn. Full training is provided. All our Care Team Volunteers are DBS checked, interviewed and will need to provide two referees.
Events Volunteers
Whether it’s helping at fundraising events, joining us at community fun days, or shaking a bucket at supermarket collections, every hour you give helps us raise vital funds for children’s holidays. It’s a great way to meet people, spread the word about our charity, and make a real difference – even if you only have a little time to spare.
As a volunteer for us you could gain:-
- Teamwork & Leadership Skills
- Communication & Confidence
- Problem-Solving & Initiative
- Safeguarding & Childcare Knowledge
- Event & Fundraising Experience
- References & Recognition
And you could also:-
- Have an unforgettable week by the seaside
- Join a community of like-minded people
- Know you’ve changed a child’s life for the better
Upcoming events are shown below:
2026 dates
Thursday 5th March – An Evening with Devon Malcolm at Ashbourne Sporting Pavilion, Cokayne Avenue, Ashbourne, DE6 1EJ £20 Tickets in advance.
Saturday 7th March – Mother’s Day Charity Raffle at The Needles Pub 128 Bembridge Drive, Derby, DE24 0UH.
Tickets behind the bar, just ask Mel and Trev for a chance to win these great prizes
FASHION EVENT BELOW CANCELLED
Thursday 12th March – Ladies’ Pop-Up Shop & Fun Fashion Show
Doors open 6.30pm | Show starts 7pm.
Shop your favourite high street brands.
Up to 70% OFF.
£10 ticket includes a glass of prosecco or fizz
Raffle with fabulous prizes.Tickets £10 including a glass of prosecco. Fashion, Health & Beauty Evening at Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX
Saturday 14th March – Mayor of Amber Valley Steve Marshall-Clarke’s Civic Meal at Horsley Lodge, Smalley Mill Road, Horsley, Derby, DE21 5BL
Sunday 15th March – the Derby 10K returns — and we’re inviting our supporters, corporate partners and local businesses to run for Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.
By signing up as a charity runner, you can benefit from a reduced entry fee and turn your run into something truly life-changing for children across Derbyshire who need positive experiences most.
Sign up here for the run https://derbycountycommunitytrust.com/what-we-do/derby-10k-run/
Sign up here to set up your own JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/charity/dchc
Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd March – VOLUNTEERS | Centre Maintenance Weekend. Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, 1 Scarborough Avenue, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE25 2SZ
As we get closer to welcoming children back to our Skegness centre this year, we’re rolling up our sleeves for a big Work Party from Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd March — and we would truly love your help.
Before over 200 Derbyshire children arrive for their seaside breaks, we need to freshen up and prepare the building so it feels warm, safe and ready for them.
For many of the children we support — those living with financial hardship, family disruption or emotional challenges — this holiday is so much more than a trip away. It’s a chance to feel carefree, valued and confident.
There’s something for everyone:
- Cleaning and organising
- Decorating
- Minor repairs
- General practical jobs around the centre
If you have skills in electrical work, joinery or decorating, that’s wonderful — but you absolutely don’t need any specialist experience. Just a willingness to muck in.
You can come for a few hours, a full day, or longer. Every bit of help makes a difference.
If you’re able to join us, please sign up here:
https://derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/ef7484e0
These few days of practical support help create the space where children can build confidence, make happy memories and simply be children.
Thank you, as always, for being part of our DCHC family. We’d love to see you in Skegness.
This event spans many days you can come for the duration or a few hours, that’s up to you!
Thursday and Friday are primarily intended for Corporate volunteers who can use their two volunteering days.
Saturday and Sunday is more for all comers, whether Corporate volunteer or someone who just wants to help us and be volunteering with us we’ll welcome you all.
Tell us that you can help at our work party!
Friday 20th March – Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Dinner & NEW Golf Day 2026 at the Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club.
The CPT are delighted to return to this fantastic venue for the CPT Midlands Dinner – with sparkling drinks from 18:45, a three-course meal, and live music from Chaos.
New for 2026: The CPT Midlands Golf Competition, supported by Manley Summers. Enjoy coffee and bacon rolls, 18 holes (tee off at 10:30), live scoring, buggy share, on-course refreshments and prizes.
This year’s charity raffle will be split between Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre and Crisis.
Book using the link provided below:-
https://www.cpt-uk.org/events/cpt-midlands-dinner-and-golf-day-2026/
Friday 10th April – 7pm Kathy’s Song | A celebration of Simon and Garfunkel at BELPER TOWN FC – Christchurch Meadow, Raygar Stadium, Bridge Street, Belper, DE56 1BA.
This event is a unique one, showcasing Kathy’s Song who offer a mix of narration about the life of Paul Simon, his songs and his rise to stardom and time in one of the all time best duos when he joined Art Garfunkel. A truly wonderful evening awaits and whilst you have fun you’re helping to raise funds for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre in Skegness.
Price per ticket £15.00 with a charity raffle on the night.
Here is the link to ticket sales for Kathy’s song. https://derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/1491bf64
Saturday 9th May – Family Fun Day with Motor Show at GNC, Osmaston Road, Derby, DE24 8AE.
Saturday 9th May – VOLUNTEERS Training Day in Derby, venue to be confirmed.
Saturday 16th May – COSY Bike and Hike for Derby Kids Camp and DCHC, cycle to Skegness or walk to Ashbourne from Derby. Starts at Derby Arena, Royal Way, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8JB
https://www.cosybikeandhike.com/
Sunday 7th June – Chaddesden Big One Festival, Chaddesden Park, Derby, DE21 6LN.
Saturday 13th June – 135th Anniversary Cathedral Celebration Service, Derby Cathedral, 18 – 19 Iron Gate, Derby, DE1 3GP
Sunday 28th June – Speech Day Summer event, marquee fundraising activity, afternoon tea with entertainment – more details to follow.
Tuesday 7th July to 12th July – The ‘Who Knew?’ walking tour with Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews. A walk through Derbyshire by our two infamous supporters connecting through cities and towns where children come from that use the centre in Skegness – more details to follow.
Sunday 26th July – Denby Summer Fete – 10am – 4pm
Denby Pottery Village, Derby Road, Denby, Derbyshire, DE5 8NX
www.denbypotteryvillage.com
Sunday 9th August – Hot August Night 2026, Mickleover Sports Club, DE3 9FB
Enjoy live music from some of the UK’s top tribute acts and bands, performing all your favourite hits on our spectacular outdoor stage with stadium sound and big screens. Bring your own picnic or treat yourself to delicious food and drink from a wide variety of local vendors – the perfect way to soak up the summer atmosphere with family and friends. Under 4’s are free.
Saturday 5th September – Turnditch and Windley Show, Meadow Farm, Windley and will commence with Horse & Pony events at 9.30 am.
Come along for our tombola, raffle, Plinko and 100 squares nomination game.
Saturday 17th October – Open day at the centre, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, 1 Scarborough Avenue, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE25 2SZ
Other Ways to Help
Not available to volunteer?
You can still support us:-
Host a yellow collection tin at your local shop or workplace
Organise a coffee morning or bake sale
Donate or collect raffle/tombola prizes
Introduce us to a local business that might sponsor an event
You can even help us from the comfort of home:-
Join Derby Community Lottery – Choose DCHC as your charity and 50p from every £1 ticket comes to us:-
derbycommunitylottery.co.uk
Use Easy Fundraising – Shop online and raise free donations for us:-
easyfundraising.org.uk
