ALL OF YOU IS WELCOME
Helping men get Back on Track in Bristol, UK
Origins & beyond
ABOUT US
CHANDOS HOUSE
Back on Track, founded by James Dickinson, is the natural reincarnation of Chandos House Treatment Centre, which he previously owned and directed in Bristol. Chandos House, a residential and (w)holistically therapeutic community for men struggling with substance misuse, was forced to close in 2018 due to government funding cuts.
This closure created a significant chasm in addiction recovery support, leading to a notable rise in preventable and untimely deaths.
Grieving Family Member's Voice
I first met James in 2011 when my brother George completed rehab at Chandos House. For the first time in years, he was clean, healthy, and hopeful. Chandos wasn’t just a clinic—it was a lifeline. With James’s support, George rebuilt his confidence, gained new skills, and had a real chance at a future. When Chandos closed in 2018 due to lack of funding, lives were lost. Overdoses and suicides rose. My brother was one of them. James never gave up. Now, he’s building a new recovery centre - because Bristol desperately needs it. - George's Sister
Determined to address this, James, after a period of personal reflection, established Back on Track in 2023 as a charity to help men overcome addiction and it's incumbent perils.
Through reviving their respective recovery(s) and helping them to rebuild themselves, alongside enhancing their relationship with the nature, it enables those we support to work toward leading happier and more fulfilling lives.
A HISTORICAL LOOK AT WHY YOUR SUPPORT IS SO INTEGRAL TO OUR FUTURE
The Bristol Cable News Article, August 2018
'...With its future under threat, former Chandos House residents told the Cable about how treatment saved their lives, following decades of battling addiction.
Two small pieces resembling Banksy’s iconic rat holding up a sign saying ‘help me’ appeared on the building in Redland on Wednesday morning. It is yet to be confirmed if Banksy himself is behind them...'
BoT: Aftercare Alternative
"In this 2014 interview I spoke on the importance of aftercare and and the positive impact it was having on my recovery. It's been quite a journey, but ten years on and now four years abstinent, I believe a lot of it's content is still applicable. I can clearly see the parallels between the message I was trying to convey about Chandos House, and the FREE support that Back on Track provides to a community of individuals that need it."
- Pete S
Former Chandos House Resident
WHAT WE DO NOW
Enriching People & Spaces for Growth
Back on Track is not a residential therapy centre, it is a learning environment and sanctuary; dedicated to easing suffering and combating poverty.
We create a space for men, predominantly run by men to support each other authentically - free from the pressures of performance, posturing, or seeking validation.
This isn’t about excluding women, but about fostering brotherhood, vulnerability, and growth. Many of us lacked strong male role models, leaving us stuck in outdated ideals of masculinity.
By leaning on each other, we break free from isolation, becoming stronger, more self-aware, and better equipped to show up for ourselves, each other, and the world.
True strength isn’t about bearing everything alone - it’s about brotherhood, healing, and stepping into a balanced, authentic manhood.
We focus on individuals struggling with addiction, mental health, homelessness, or deprivation. We offer a safe, communal environment with anti-depressant experiences and life-affirming adventures.
Practical offerings include educational courses, fitness classes, artistic pursuits and community experiences.
We prioritize personal growth and community well-being, while promoting ecological awareness through rewilding, conservation, and environmental education.
Examples of the activities and groups we offer can be found on our carefully crafted timetable.
'In the forest there is no wi-fi, but I promise you'll find a better connection'
- Unknown
The spaces we use are usually outdoors in nature. However, when the weather dictates otherwise we endeavour to find alternate cover indoors in which to continue providing our support.
Insight into Boiling Wells Ampitheatre
Run by St Werburghs City Farm. It is a multi-faceted site where a number of our outdoor activities, shared meals and transormational speaking circles take place
BoT Image Gallery
Please swipe across using your finger or use the arrows to scroll through. Press play button on videos; either can be enlarged by selecting or clicking on them.
Gratitude Corner
All locations and spaces are generously provided to us at no cost, the practitioners voluntarily give their time, and all shared meals are alternately supplied by The Scrandit, Beast Butchers and Fareshare South West. This means that every penny raised goes direct to the sufferers on the street.
(Follow Image Gallery instructions for viewing options)
“One can never pay in gratitude: one can only pay 'in kind' somewhere else in life”
Ann Morrow Linbergh
Our Aims & Fundraising
With sufficient fundraising we would like to secure permanent premises to call home, so we can guarantee cover when the weather is inclement.
We'd also like to bring on salaried staff to supplement our large pool of unpaid volunteers.
We'd love the means to provide transportation for those who need it, ensuring there's nothing stopping anyone from making use of our services.
Once we can establish a permanent venue we can extend our courses, classes and activities to provide a greater range of improvement, enrichment and environmental development.
Your donation truly does matter, and will help improve the lives of those who need it most.
"We are focused on finding our way back home through rediscovering connection, purpose and meaning"
- Back on Track (W)holistic Philosophy
Thanking you in Advance!
Alternately, visit our Just Giving page, where you can give to us or share our campaign to raise funds with others.