Image copyright Whitstable Yacht Club
Here at holidaycottages.co.uk and the wider Travel Chapter group, we are committed to promoting responsible tourism and supporting local communities in the areas in which our guests love to holiday.
Organisations and charities are the beating heart of the community. They lift local people, foster pride in their area, and get important work done to better the lives of those who live there.
In 2023/24, we proudly supported 47 local community groups, organisations and charities, and an estimated 42,000 people have directly benefited from our support. Read on for some examples of the organisations we worked with behind the scenes.
Image copyright Britten Pears Arts
Art and culture
Art and culture enrich the community, bring people together and promote mental wellbeing. Often, arts events, initiatives and groups are run by charities and volunteers. We’re pleased that our funding has helped projects up and down the country to continue their important work.
Our funding was used by Appledore Book Festival in Devon to take six inspirational authors into a local school and contributed to the purchase of free books for the children to take home. Similarly, we helped Purbeck Art Weeks Festival in Dorset to put on workshops in local schools as part of their Purbeck Young Artists Scheme.
“This very generous donation meant the cost of the sessions were covered completely. By providing the full amount, money allocated to subsidise events could be used to purchase more books for children to take home.” – Appledore Book Festival
We were also able to sponsor some performing arts organisations: Flash Company Arts in Yorkshire offers free youth arts and music sessions, which include a hot meal, as well as important support services for families.
Images copyright Britten Pears Arts
“Knowing that there is one less meal I have to find every week makes a bigger difference than it should. And knowing I don’t need to scrape together money to let him go to a club, and I don’t have to say no because I can’t afford it, means he has a place where he knows he can go.” – Parent, Flash Company Arts
Our funding covered 3 months of sessions for Suffolk-based Britten Pears Arts’ Participate Programme, which uses music to bring communities together.
“The continued support from holidaycottages.co.uk towards the last few months of the programme each year has helped to provide the security we need. Not only does this continue to bring this important social programme to participants during what can be the loneliest time of the year for those in later life, but it also means we can continue to expand the reach of our programme and hire more accessible venues for our participants.” – Britten Pears Arts
Image copyright Friends of MV Freedom
Inclusion
Both in our offices and in the communities we operate in, it is important to us to ensure that opportunities are available to everyone. We are pleased to be able to support organisations across the UK for whom inclusivity is a key focus.
Our funding contributes to enabling organisations to offer accessible experiences. We’ve contributed towards Friends of MV Freedom’s lifejacket appeal, to help them run their accessible sea experiences for individuals with disabilities in Dorset.
“We were delighted to receive [the support of holidaycottages.co.uk] for these vital safety items. It has helped us ensure the safety of our clients and volunteers, and it means we can continue our service to the vulnerable community. The new lifejackets are easier to fit, more comfortable to wear and of a higher standard than previously.” – Friends of MV Freedom
Image copyright Urdd Gobaith Cymru
For Urdd Gobaith Cymru, a voluntary youth organisation offering Welsh-language experiences for young people, we were able to sponsor Makaton services at one of their key events.
“The impact of having holidaycottages.co.uk’s support at the Eisteddfod ensured that we could offer an extra service for children and young people with additional needs and provide services to everyone. It’s important to show Makaton translators as part of the mainstream competitions and activities at the Eisteddfod to encourage the use of the language and to help young competitors and visitors with communication.” – Urdd Gobaith Cymru
Images copyright Calvert Lakes (top left), and The Wave Project (top right and bottom)
We’ve also funded the refurbishment of five bedrooms at the Calvert Lakes, a residential outdoor activities centre for people with disabilities in the Lake District. The Wave Project in Sussex used our funding to deliver surf therapy services in Brighton to young people facing challenges with their mental health and wellbeing.
“It is fantastic to know that we will be able to continue providing comfortable and inviting accommodation for the 3,500 guests we support each year. In the world of accessible accommodation, it has often been the case that making adjustments for accessibility means there is a compromise on style and finish. With the support from holidaycottages.co.uk, we will provide accessible accommodation without compromise – our rooms will be warm and welcoming, as they should be.” – Calvert Trust Lake District
Image copyright Neptune's Army of Rubbish Cleaners
Environment
Many of the projects that we support are linked to the environment – green initiatives, nurturing natural spaces, and environmental education.
We are proud to be part of a Certified B-Corporation for our verified high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
Among the environmental organisations we support are Earth Action North Devon, Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners and Ranger Jane’s Beach School who work to protect our marine environments by collecting litter and educating people on its environmental impact.
“This is a crucial time for nature recovery and climate action. Nourishing and upskilling the next generation of changemakers is imperative to try and secure a healthy and functioning planet for all. Thank you from all of us at Earth Action North Devon.” – Earth Action North Devon
Image copyright Neptune's Army of Rubbish Cleaners
Our support helps groups with an environmental focus continue their important work in our green spaces across the UK. This includes funding to help support resurfacing works to an accessible Miles Without Stiles route by the Peak District National Park Foundation, and funding a bilingual notice board through Harlech Community Council for their Wildflower Meadow Orchard Project. We sponsor the Bonnie Banks Bin scheme run by Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs to keep the local laybys free of litter.
“We are hugely grateful to holidaycottages.co.uk for supporting the maintenance of Miles Without Stiles routes in the Peak District. This funding is helping to keep these paths fit for purpose so people with mobility challenges can continue to explore the national park.” – Peak District National Park Foundation
Image copyright Green Sod Ireland
Over in Ireland, our funding supported Green Sod in its mission to protect land and biodiversity. With our help, they have been able to acquire new signage and deliver a Bee Aware education programme in local schools.
“It has been long needed to update our signs at Rosscarbery, so this was greatly appreciated. It is also very important for us that we are able to deliver this practical education workshop to six schools in the area. One of the teachers told us that the Bee Aware programme was relevant for the kids, and they could tell they really enjoyed it.” – Green Sod
In addition to supplying funding to environmental organisations, we also have ongoing partnerships with the RSPB and the Marine Conservation Society, as well as several other charities.
Our B-Corp certification
Image copyright Whitstable Yacht Club
Sport and activities
Our team are a sporty bunch, so it’s natural for us to want to support access to sporting facilities and activities in the areas local to the holiday homes in our collection.
Aldeburgh Yacht Club, Bury St Edmunds RUFC and Whitstable Yacht Club are among the organisations we’ve sponsored, with funding helping with things like school sailing sessions, multi-sports holiday camps, and bursaries for children’s yachting qualifications.
“Our Community Team orchestrated a dynamic multi-sport camp during the February half term, catering to local children aged 5–12. At our club, we take immense pride in our community engagement, striving to offer sporting opportunities to numerous local children throughout the year via holiday camps and school coaching programmes. holidaycottages.co.uk’s support facilitated the provision of 20 additional places for children, and it ensured each attendee received a complimentary meal.” – Bury St Edmunds RUFC
Community support
We like to shout about the UK’s beautiful holiday destinations from the rooftops, and we want everyone in these places to benefit from UK tourism. By sponsoring community initiatives and events, and supporting local charities and organisations, we’re committed to taking care of the places where our guests love to holiday.
Our charity of the year for 2025 is the Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity that supports a vast network of food banks across the UK. In addition to this, in 2023/24 we sponsored Keswick Area Food Share and The Zink Project (Derbyshire) which provides hot meals for homeless people, a food bank, and a community café.
“We average around 32–40 people a week on the one day we are open between 10am–1pm. [holidaycottages.co.uk’s] funding came along just at the right time and gave me the confidence to carry on when times were challenging. It is a sad situation but so worthwhile when you know it is helping so many in stressful situations, removing one more hurdle for each person who comes in.” – Keswick Area Foodshare
Other organisations to have received funding from us are Northumberland Log Bank and The Footprint Trust (Isle of Wight) who focus on addressing fuel poverty and reducing locals’ carbon footprints respectively.
“We simply could not operate without charitable support to cover the running and maintenance costs of our equipment. We delivered to over 250 households, keeping an estimated 750 people warm last winter. We receive overwhelming gratitude for the help we are giving; the relief we see when we arrive with a log delivery is a reward for the time volunteers dedicate to our organisation.” – Northumberland Log Bank
Funding has also gone to Lynmouth Community Gardens in Devon, The Windmill Community Garden in Kent, Yesu Sheringham in Norfolk, the Cumbria Community Foundation, and The Bircham Centre in Norfolk, all of which build links and offer essential services within their communities.
“This year, the funding was used towards resolving a drainage problem at the front of the building and to redesign the front garden to make it more attractive to users and visitors while reducing the maintenance of the garden going forward. The funding has helped us to ensure the building is kept in good order to continue to provide essential services for the wellbeing of the local community.” – The Bircham Centre
Image copyright Aberglasney Mountain Rescue Team
Other organisations
Some of the organisations we support fall into less definable categories. We’re proud to have helped Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team purchase new digital radio technology and contribute to Cumbria Tourism’s 50th Anniversary Fund to help kickstart people’s careers in tourism and hospitality.
“The funding has directly supported our team of 35 volunteers out on the mountains, but indirectly it has supported the 60 or so casualties we support on average each year. We now have new handheld radios and vehicle radios. The better communications system is making life safer for the team and ultimately for the casualties we assist.” – Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team
The future
There will always be a need to encourage and support sustainable tourism, for as long as people want to explore our beautiful country. Our commitment to local charities and organisations is open-ended, and we’re excited to see where our partnerships and sponsorships will lead to in 2025 and beyond.
“While we’re all proud of what we’ve achieved so far, we know that there’s always more to do. We’re excited to keep pushing forward and finding new ways to support the environment and our communities.” – Jayne McClure, Travel Chapter CEO
Responsible tourism at holidaycottages.co.uk