Our mission is to prevent suffering and ease impoverishment, via education, self-improvement and environmental awareness through rewilding, helping those who suffer alcohol & drug disorders, mental health issues, homelessness, deprivation & neglect.
We’re asking for your support to help us to continue on our mission to alleviate suffering, reduce impoverishment, and provide opportunities for those in need; including guidance for self-improvement, education, and environmental awareness.
We are a Bristol-based charity dedicated to supporting men in our community. As both a learning organisation and a sanctuary, we offer a safe space where men can rebuild their lives, find purpose, and thrive. Our work focuses on creating meaningful change for those facing challenges like addiction, mental health struggles, homelessness, and deprivation.
Your donation, big or small, can help us grow and thrive. With your support, we can reach more individuals, strengthen our programs, and create a lasting impact in the lives of those who need us most.
Together, we can build a brighter, more compassionate community.
"ReVive your recovery, for a life worth living." - James Dickinson
Please donate as much or as little as you can today and help us continue this vital work.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity,
The Back on Track Team
Back on Track is a Bristol-based men's charity dedicated to supporting long-term recovery from substance misuse disorders and their associated challenges.
Back on Track is not a therapy centre, it is both a learning organisation and a place of 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 Many of us lacked strong male role models, leaving us stuck in outdated ideals of masculinity.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.
"One of the greatest blocks to attendance and improvement for anxiety/addictive disorders, depression and poverty can be the inability to travel, and the lack of a roof to house and host. People need a place to call home.'
At a fundamental level, we aim to ease suffering and combat poverty for those who suffer through alcohol and drug disorders, mental health issues, homelessness, deprivation or neglect. We aim to provide a safe, communal environment offering anti-depressant experiences and life-improving, life-affirming adventures.
"Say Ouch when it hurts." - Back on Track motto
At a practical level we offer educational courses, communal experiences, fitness and self-improvement classes, and artistic and creative adventures. Our objective is to provide education and improvement for both the public in general and for those suffering the effects of substance misuse or dependency.
"The support and identification of a fellow sufferer provides unparalleled therapeutic value."
And throughout, we will be promoting ecological and environmental awareness with classes, activities and talks on rewilding, habitat protection, conservation, tree and hedgerow care and much, much more.
Our support is completely FREE and we deliver our daily activities, week in - week out, for 52 weeks of the year!
Back on Track is run by founder and (W)holistic Conductor James Dickinson, MSc.
James ran Chandos House Treatment for Addiction Centre in Bristol for nearly 30 years. Chandos provided active, therapeutic intervention through counselling and group/individual body work in a structured, supportive environment, with an emphasis on health promotion and emotional well-being. In 2018, in the wake of austerity-lead treatment centre closures across the UK, Chandos was forced to close its doors.
James has a masters degree in Management, Development and Social Responsibility from Bristol University, worked as a psychology lecturer at the University of the West of England, and provided psychology session work for therapy organisation "Life Changes" and coaching firm "The Centre for Mentoring", both based in Bristol.
We also have access to a wide range of practitioners, consultants, supporters and friends, all of whom are volunteers, and provide the day-to-day services, sessions and activities that keep Back on Track running.
"Our trustees are the Guardians of the Galaxy and Knights of the Round Table rolled into one!" - James Dickinson
We currently support a bio-diverse, all-singing, all-dancing group of men from all backgrounds and walks of life.
"All of you is welcome." - Chandos House motto
Our aim is to help all those left behind, those with a sense of loss and abandonment in the wake of sweeping closures of addiction treatment centres across the country. Our hope is to bring people out of isolation, to provide them with something to get up and out for, a place where they can feel wanted, understood, loved and cherished.
Back on Track is for EVERYONE.
"The medicine is in the connection. We can’t be well until we ALL are."
Since Chandos House closed its doors, an unforgivably high number of addiction-related deaths have been reported in the aftermath of austerity. It is vital that a safe, communal space can be created to provide sanctuary for those left unsupported, unprotected, or in dire need.
"If you're stuck, anxious, isolated or depressed, come join us." - James Dickinson
Now more than ever a place is needed where men can come together to help not only themselves, but each other. A place where everyone takes responsibility and makes a meaningful commitment to - and ownership of - their growth and self-improvement.
"Recovery is not a solo journey." - Traditional sobriety motto
We operate in a wide variety of locations across Bristol, from Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve to St. Andrews Park, from the Back on Track Allotment to our "Not So Youthful" communing space. Our classes and courses run in church halls, city farms, wildlife centres and health and fitness venues across the city.
"We are here to reach the parts that others don’t."
Right now, every penny we raise goes directly to the sufferer on the street. With sufficient fundraising we would like to secure permanent premises to call home, so we can take 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.
"We are focused on finding our way back home through rediscovering connection, purpose and meaning" - Back on Track (W)holistic Philosophy
Your donation matters, and will help improve the lives of those who need it most.
Thank you.
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