Current Activity in Responsible Tourism

Here at holidaycottages.co.uk, we don’t just believe in responsible tourism from the sidelines – we want to be a part of it.

National projects

Cleaning up with The 2 Minute Foundation

holidaycottages.co.uk has partnered with The 2 Minute Foundation so we can help ourselves and our local community clean up our local towns and villages and protect the environment. We have litter-picking stations outside ten of our regional offices, encouraging everyone to play their part and clean up our planet, 2 minutes at a time. Containing litter pickers and reusable refuse sacks, they can be used repeatedly.


South West England projects

Plastic Free North Devon

Plastic Free North Devon is a grassroots community organisation, with an ambition to inspire North Devon residents, tourists and businesses to reduce their single-use plastic consumption. We are proud to support them as an ‘Impact Maker’ on their Ocean Explorers educational outreach project.

North Devon Hospice

North Devon Hospice, based in Barnstaple, provides specialist care and support for people who are affected by life-limiting illness. We are proud to sponsor their charity event Mission: Unbreakable, a commando-style course which our staff will be taking on, as well as their annual Nightwalk.

M.V. Freedom

M.V. Freedom is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing accessible sea experiences for individuals living with disabilities in Dorset. Their specially designed boat allows wheelchair users to enjoy therapeutic and empowering outings on the water. We have contributed by funding the life jacket appeal.


Dive Project Cornwall

Dive Project Cornwall is a unique experience for students to learn the basics of scuba diving and gain an appreciation of the natural marine world. holidaycottages.co.uk's sponsorship contributes towards the expenses for five nights of food and camping. This is more than just a dive camp; it provides a life-changing opportunity to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people throughout the UK.


Appledore Book Festival

Appledore Book Festival sees some big names in the literary and art world descend upon the pretty little coastal village in North Devon each year. The festival runs a Schools Week where young people can attend talks from acclaimed authors and illustrators, which encourages reading and writing. We are sponsoring the school programme, enabling a local school to host some of these workshops.

Education with the Marine Conservation Society

We are proud to be a company member of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and will be supporting its initiatives throughout the year by sharing information as well as opportunities to get involved with the charity with our staff, guests and owners.

Lynmouth Wall Garden

The Lynmouth Wall Garden is maintained by members of the community on Tors Road in Lynmouth, Devon. As holidaycottages.co.uk lets out many properties on the road, we are proud to sponsor the Wall Garden, to enable the garden to be maintained, and for new plants to be planted.

Purbeck Arts Week

To culminate Purbeck Arts Week, the committee runs year-round activities supporting artists across Purbeck, conducts school workshops through the Purbeck Young Artists Scheme, and collaborates on community projects like murals. We are funding some of the Young Artist workshops in 2024.


South East England projects


Whitstable Yacht Club

Whitstable Yacht Club is a fantastic resource for this coastal town in Kent. Our sponsorship, which is in its third year, will contribute towards bursaries for sailing courses both for new members and children, and towards the running costs of water sports events. The funding will also contribute towards the premier racing event Whitstable Week, the summer Cadetfest event and linking with local schools to get non-sailors out on the water. It is our hope that more and more people will be drawn to the enjoyable pursuit of sailing.


The Windmill Community Garden

The Windmill Community Garden Margate is a community space dedicated to promoting sustainable living, environmental education, and community cohesion. holidaycottages.co.uk is proud to support the garden by providing funding for accessible raised flower beds. This initiative makes gardening more inclusive, particularly for individuals with back conditions who may find traditional gardening challenging. Additionally, we are supplying the garden with essential tools and a variety of plants to help it flourish.

The Wave Project

The Wave Project is an organisation dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing through surf therapy. They offer transformative experiences by using the therapeutic benefits of surfing to help individuals overcome challenges such as anxiety and depression. We are providing funding for 2 children to take part in the Surf Therapy Course over six weeks in Brighton. When young people are referred to the Wave project, they are usually quite anxious. Their six-week introduction to surfing helps them to overcome their worries about the water and feel more confident about taking on different challenges.


Arundel Festival

The annual Arundel Festival of the Arts summer festival, now in its 46th year, celebrates the full range of the arts and music in the historic town. This family-friendly event, entirely run by volunteers, brings together residents, community groups, local businesses, and attractions to stage uplifting events for the whole community to enjoy. We are supporting the Out of the Deep Blue event, a large-scale outdoor performance featuring a 13-foot sea giant puppet and a contemporary dancer, inspired by the themes of the climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis we see in the UK and beyond.


Footprint Trust

The Footprint Trust is an energy charity working to reduce the Isle of Wight's carbon footprint. Based in Newport, Isle of Wight, they provide island-wide support, help, and guidance for sustainable living. They help people reduce their home energy usage and save money on bills. We are covering the costs of The Footprint Trust's 'Winter is Coming' event. The aim of the event is to bring together a range of charities and organisations to help islanders prepare for winter. Attendees will benefit from hearing about all of the support available including how to keep warm at home, benefits guidance, CV help, family support, and veteran’s help.


East of England projects

YESU Sheringham

YESU Sheringham’s primary focus is being a parent support centre with a community fridge, book and toy exchange, play sessions, and a variety of groups running to help parents with budgeting and managing children’s behaviour. Often families reliant on YESU Sheringham have little disposable income and struggle with keeping their children entertained over the school holidays. Our funding has enabled YESU Sheringham to purchase beach equipment to be used in the summer holidays: swimwear, beach shoes, sun cream, ice cream and bottled water.


Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Schools Program aims to equip children with the tools to tackle the global climate, biodiversity and health crisis by offering three years of outdoor learning and nature connection support to the whole school community. We have funded two primary schools in East Suffolk to take action for nature where they live for three years.


Britten Pears Arts

Britten Pears Arts is a charity which uses music to bring communities together to help tackle feelings of isolation and loneliness, and help those living with long-term conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s. We are sponsoring 4 months of Participate workshop sessions where participants take part in music-focused activities and connect over tea and cake.

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

Aldeburgh Yacht Club in Suffolk has a School Sailing Trust which was set up to offer those from the local community, who have not had the chance to learn to sail, the opportunity to do so. In 2023, we provided funding for a new school to take part in the programme for the first time and we are continuing with this support for 2024.

Bury St Edmunds RUFC

Bury St Edmunds RUFC in Suffolk prides itself on its involvement with the local community and does everything it can to make rugby more accessible. We have partnered with them to fund 20 spaces at their week-long half-term training camp. This gives children the opportunity to try something new over half term and have healthy, homecooked meals.


The Bircham Centre

The Bircham Centre in Reepham, Norfolk, is a Grade II-listed building which was donated to the town many years ago and is kept running by the community. It has a charity shop, a library, meeting rooms, important services and a community garden. As frequent users of the centre when our Norfolk office was situated in the town, we wanted to continue to support the centre. We are providing funding towards the maintenance work required.


Southwold Street Festival

Southwold Street Festival, the finale of the Southwold Arts Festival, brings the community together in a day of celebration with live music, drama, poetry, visual art, photography, dance, talks and literature all taking place. This 8-day festival appeals to all ages and tastes, and helps combat social isolation within the community. Our sponsorship enabled the Street Festival to take place in 2024, after a two-year hiatus.


Wales projects

Trash Free Trails

Trash Free Trails are a community dedicated to preserving natural environments by removing single-use pollution from trails and wild places. holidaycottages.co.uk is supporting their Trash Mob Academy in North Wales. This is a youth engagement project aimed at empowering young people through outdoor activities like mountain biking and trail cleaning. By funding this 6-week program, it enables students to learn riding skills, develop environmental attitudes, connect with nature, and improve self-esteem.

The Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team

The Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team is dedicated to offering a comprehensive search and rescue service, not only in the mountains but across North West Wales. To ensure their invaluable assistance continues, we have provided funding towards new digital radios which will vastly enhance their communication range and allow them to effectively collaborate with other emergency services.

Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim

The Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim is a local event which has been running for over 38 years, and is one of the main fundraisers for the local community, raising thousands towards local and national charities. Our sponsorship supports the ongoing success of the event by helping to cover the running costs so that all the funds raised go to their elected charitable causes.

Arts Connection – Cyswllt Celf

Arts Connection – Cyswllt Celf is an independent arts charity based in Mid Wales, that provides artistic engagement and community enrichment, working in all art forms with all ages and abilities. We are supporting the Welshpool Murals project, funding initiatives to engage approximately 60-100 high school students, in designing and painting murals throughout the town.

Oystermouth Outdoor Theatre

Oystermouth Outdoor Theatre, organised by Swansea Council and Enjoy Swansea Bay, puts on shows during the summer for local residents and visitors to enjoy on the grounds of the 12th-century Oystermouth Castle. Our sponsorship of the event allows these live shows to continue year after year, whilst it promotes cultural diversity and supports local businesses.

Urdd Eisteddfod

Urdd Gobaith Cymru is a national voluntary youth organisation providing opportunities for young people in Wales, in the Welsh language. They are committed to providing accessibility for children and young people; we sponsored the Makaton translator at The Urdd National Eisteddfod to translate the key ceremonies on the main stage at the event.


Heart of England projects


Bakewell and Eyam Community Transport

Bakewell and Eyam Community Transport provides a lifeline for older people across Derbyshire who struggle to get out and about. Their annual programme consists of trips and tours to shopping centres, garden centres, historic houses and the seaside. Our support enables BECT to continue their vital work combating loneliness in rural communities, as well as funding their weekly summer seaside programme.


The Zink Project

Our sponsorship is providing funding towards their Community eco-Cafe, ensuring families in need have access to nutritious food. We are also supporting them in setting up a pilot neuro-divergent peer support group for adults. The support group fosters support, advice, peer relationships, and socialisation for neurodivergent young adults, enhancing inclusion and well-being and mental health.


Ireland projects


Foodshare Kerry

Foodshare Kerry operates as the largest food bank in Kerry, bridging the gap between food waste and food poverty. It receives food from the European Social Fund+, along with surplus food from local businesses and suppliers that would otherwise be wasted. This food is graded, repackaged, and delivered to a network of community partners across County Kerry, including homeless services, family resource centres, and social services, who redistribute it to people experiencing food poverty. Our funding covers six months of fuel costs for Foodshare Kerry, ensuring their vehicles can transport surplus food across County Kerry. This support helps them reach vulnerable communities, sustain their partner network, and prevent food waste daily.


Green Sod Ireland

Green Sod Ireland protects and conserves Irish land and biodiversity for present and future generations. By working with local communities, they raise awareness of the health, educational, social, economic, and environmental benefits of caring for the land and its ecosystems. Green Sod Ireland hosts a 'Bee Aware' program in the West Cork area. The workshop raises awareness of the importance of bees within the agriculture and food sector, improving the students' understanding of the world from which our food comes. Our funding allows these workshops to run and would facilitate up to 180 children in the local area. We have also provided funds for materials to improve signage and provide signage in Irish.


North of England projects

Keswick Area Foodshare

Keswick Area Foodshare was set up in April 2024 to help families and locals who are struggling to afford food due to the cost of living crisis. Unlike a foodbank, those who need to use the facility do not need to be referred. They rely heavily on donations of funds, food, clothing and toiletries to operate. Our sponsorship has funded approximately 200 food parcels.


Flash Company Arts

Flash Company Arts based in Whitby, North Yorkshire runs activities for children, families and adults as well as a pay-what-you-can cafe and a food pantry. They focus on mental health and wellbeing, working with people who feel lonely and isolated. All of their activities are free to attend so they rely on funding to operate. We are sponsoring 3 months of their Upbeat Sessions, where children can do things like art, singing, and playing music. They also receive a cooked meal.


Lake District Calvert Trust

Founded in 1976, The Calvert Trust enables people with disabilities to benefit from outdoor activities in the countryside, providing adventure breaks and holidays. The Calvert Trust is working to upgrade all of the bedrooms at their specialist residential centre in Keswick so they can cater for people with even the most profound disabilities and offer safe and supportive experiences. We are sponsoring the refurbishment of one of these rooms.

Upper Dales Community Partnership

The Upper Dales Community Partnership, which comprises mostly volunteers, maintains local services. We are supporting their community bus service by sponsoring two of their buses which enables the service to provide scheduled travel to the residents of, and visitors to Upper Wensleydale and Swaledale in North Yorkshire.

Northumberland Log Bank

The Northumberland Log Bank aims to prevent or relieve poverty in rural Northumberland by providing seasoned wood fuel to those suffering financial hardship, chronic ill-health, disability or isolation. We have provided funding for insurance costs and equipment for cutting up wood, which has been kindly donated by estates across Northumberland.

Ranger Jane Beach School

Ranger Jane Beach School in Northumberland encourages children to be passionate about the conservation of the marine environment and provides eco-friendly nature activities during holidays and to school groups. Our sponsorship has provided new equipment and has covered the cost of ten school/youth group trips throughout 2024.

Cumbria Tourism

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cumbria Tourism, a charitable fund to help kickstart careers in tourism and hospitality has been set up with the help of the Cumbria Community Foundation. We are a key sponsor of the initiative, sponsoring the 50th anniversary pin badges which will be sold on a donation basis. We have also donated directly to the fund.


Scotland projects


Trees For Life

Trees For Life revitalise wild forests in the Scottish Highlands, providing space for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive. We are supporting their Rewild and Recover project, where they work with other charities which allow people experiencing significant challenges in their lives to attend a week-long camp where they can participate in a range of activities including tree planting, walks, meditation and tracking.


Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is a conservation and heritage charity, working to promote and protect the area, ensuring visitors and locals can continue to enjoy this beautiful part of the country. We are sponsoring the Bonnie Banks Bin Scheme which promotes more responsible tourism, ensuring there is somewhere along the laybys on west Loch Lomond for people to responsibly dispose of their rubbish.