Holiday centre officially reopens as it welcomes first youngsters

Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has officially re-opened after welcoming its first Derby youngsters for a week’s free fun by the sea.

The charity welcomed 17 children for a seaside holiday at its base in Skegness towards the end of last month.

It is the first time the charity has been able to give holidays to children since having to pause operations in 2024.

Chief executive Janine Holmes said she was delighted to be opening up the much-loved ‘Skeggy home’ once again.

She said: “We have worked very hard in 2025 to raise funds and work out a sustainable new way forward for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.

“I can’t express how pleased I am that we have been able to open up our doors and provide holidays for children from two Derby schools who are really going to benefit.

“Trustees, volunteers, fundraisers and so many more have worked very hard to get us to this point – but seeing the children’s excited faces as they joined us to have a week in Skegness made it all worthwhile.”

The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has been going since 1891 and provides week-long stays at its centre in Skegness for children who would otherwise not get a break, whether for financial reasons or others such as caring for relatives.

Children are nominated to attend by their school if it is felt they would really benefit from the experience.

After announcing it was having to pause in 2025, a huge fundraising campaign resulted in tens of thousands of pounds raised.

The first children attending the holiday centre for a free break this year came from two Derby schools: Springfield Primary and Borrow Wood – both in Spondon.

David Blackwell, head teacher at Springfield Primary, said: “We’re delighted that some of our pupils are getting this opportunity.

“We have used holiday clubs and kids’ camps for many years and have seen the really positive impact on pupils, on their enjoyment and their wellbeing.

“It’s just a fantastic thing to be able to give to them and we are very appreciative for everybody who gives them that opportunity.

“Some of our pupils felt very strongly about the pause in the charity and raised a lot of money for them.”