Skegness children’s holiday centre bounces back with bold new plan to help beat cost-of-living crisis

As reported, earlier this year the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre (DCHC) launched a desperate £150,000 Comeback Appeal.

The charity, based in Scarborough Avenue, had been due to reopen in March to welcome under-11s who might not otherwise enjoy a holiday. But as manager Ali Byerley warned earlier this year, the cost-of-living crisis had hit the centre hard, with bills rising by a jaw-dropping £1,000 a week. Ali never doubted the children would one day return, staying on site to oversee repairs and keep the centre ready, hopeful the community would once again come to the rescue.

Now, in an uplifting turn, the centre has unveiled a scheme designed not only to safeguard its future but to help schools and families who are also battling rising costs.

For the first time since it began offering free seaside breaks back in 1891, the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre is opening its doors to school residentials at ultra low-cost rates, with the aim of allowing many more children to enjoy a trip to the coast.

Chief executive Janine Holmes, a former head teacher, believes the scheme will be a game-changer – for the charity, for schools, and for families feeling the squeeze. “Residentials are such an important part of childhood,” she said. “But they’ve become so expensive, schools are having to cut them completely. We can help change that.”

And she’s not wrong. Research from the National Foundation for Educational Research, carried out for the Sutton Trust, shows that the number of schools forced to cut trips has more than doubled in a year. Meanwhile, a survey by Zurich Municipal found a third of families now consider school trips too costly.

With its fully equipped centre – complete with a games room, chill-out lounge, creative room and brand new bunk beds – DCHC is offering two- or four-night stays starting at just £37.50 per child per night. That’s roughly half the cost of most residential providers, and around a third of the price of some of the biggest names. The package includes all food plus trained staff to lead activities on the famous Skegness beach.

“I know exactly what schools need,” Janine added. “They want somewhere safe, fun and affordable, run by people who understand children. And you don’t get more classic than a trip to Skegness – it’s what childhood memories are made of.”

The charity is also offering schools discounted rates through partnership packages, where arranging a simple fundraiser can reduce costs even further. There’s also help for schools with many children receiving free school meals, through corporate matched funding opportunities.

Janine says the response has already been positive from head teachers who long to offer residential trips but simply can’t stretch budgets any further. “Our staff are experienced, trained and brilliant with children,” she said. “And with special deals lined up with Skegness attractions, including the swimming pool, we’re able to offer a complete, stress-free package.”

The new school residential scheme launches in May, running through the summer term (excluding half term) and resuming in September until the October half term.

To register interest or request a quote, schools can now apply online at https://dchc.org.uk/ here.