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< Back Elisabeth Winkler 'Writing round the fire' Facilitator Elisabeth has written for all the broadsheets including The Guardian and the Independent ( an example can be found in the link below ). Having also written a journal all her life she believes in the power of writing for self-expression, transformation and grounding. We are proud to include Elisabeth as part of the BoT team, where she is currently facilitating the following group: 'Writing round the fire' The fire gives focus. Writing increases this focus, helping us ground in the moment, making that moment more noticeable and real as we describe in words what we see, sense and hear. Pens and paper are provided. Every Wednesday ( until further notice ), 2 pm - 3pm, Boiling Wells Ampitheatre Childhood Sexual Abuse Article

< Back Jack Phillips Change Mentor & Supporter With over 20 years of experience working at a senior level within the premium hospitality and leisure sector. I understand what people want not only from a facility but from the teams that work within them. High value is more about experience and journey and creating everlasting memories than just luxury. A father to my amazing children and a keen explorer of life, I truly believe that some people act on impulse and some when they are ready. You should never beat yourself up about where you are compared to others, because we have no idea what others have gone through to get where they are or if they just wake up one day after months or even years of overthinking and decide to make a change. We are all capable of making a change in our lives but how and when we do it should be up to us. Change is exciting, daunting and can be very tricky, embrace new experiences and absorb others lessons. I have faced both extreme personal and business challenges and I’m always looking to pass on my experience, my expertise, my love of life and my journey. We can start where we are right now and change the end.

< Back Andrew Hamilton Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Lead Having recently retired as a Royal Marine Commando, I've made the decision to transition away from military life to pursue a career in the health and fitness industry. This choice stems from my newfound role as a father and the desire to spend more time with my family. My passion for sports and fitness dates back to my school days, leading me to pursue a BTECH in Sport Exercise Science at Filton College (SGS college). During my time there, I excelled on the college's basketball first team, competing at the elite level across the country while gaining international experience away in Belgium and Germany. I also was one of a few college players to represent the Bristol Flyers (then Division 1 NBL) men's first team. Following college, I continued my academic and athletic journey at Loughborough University, studying Sports Science and Management while playing under Coach Drew Sullivan, the GB basketball captain. Graduating after four years, I pursued a professional basketball career, representing teams like the Leicester Riders and eventually returning to my hometown of Bristol to play for the Flyers in the British Basketball League. However, after a season with the Leeds Force I faced considerable personal challenges and realised the need for a fresh start, a new direction. Drawing on my family's military background, I made the decision to join the Royal Marines, seeking to challenge myself and make a positive change in my life. Now, with nearly six years of diverse experiences, I've discovered my true career path. My time in the Corps has taught me invaluable lessons about physical fitness and personal development. Combining my education, athletic background, and military experience, I am now equipped with a Personal Training Level 3 qualification and a wealth of knowledge to support others in their fitness journey. I am committed to helping individuals become fitter, faster, and stronger, while also fostering confidence, well-being, and overall health within the community I aim to build. Visit the DCC Website

< Back Pete Burton Research & Analysis After a degree in Human Biology I worked in London in a variety of interesting but temporary medical research assistant jobs with no prospects attached. Keen to leave the capital, I managed to persuade UWE in Bristol to let me onto a 1 year MSc in IT. I went on to work in IT for 25 years in various roles. I spent most time, 12 years, at Bristol University starting in Windows, Linux and Mac and database support, then team leadership, and finishing as Change Manager for the whole IT department. Throughout, my analytical and problem solving ability coupled with an eye for fine detail was of great use to the organisation as well as my technical skills. I could also be very creative and create new programs to solve problems when they arose. Some of these were significant enough to be adopted more widely by the organisations I worked for. My record in the emotional aspect of life is more complicated and I have suffered with anxiety for all of my adult life. This has been very severe at times and I tried 10 different drugs before happening on one that works very well. Suffice to say that my experience of dealing with mental health services has not been a good one. Since then I have managed to build a life that fits well with my particular makeup and am content. I live in a small flat in central Bristol with my partner and cat. Living on very little, I gain satisfaction from mostly solitary activities, walking around in nature, cycling in the countryside and, at home, playing guitar and banjo and working on IT related activities and learning 3D modelling programs. I am motivated to assist those who have also struggled to access mental health support and am a member of the Independent Mental Health Network that is attempting to improve provision in and around Bristol. At the Centre for Rewilding I provide a researched and analytical view of ideas and plans to the Directors when required, with the aim of avoiding potential later problems in the project.

< Back Jonathan Cooksey Yoga Teacher & Supporter My motto is KIS – Keep It Simple . This is something that I have tried to carry through my life. I try to allow it to infuse into all aspects. Why complicate things if it can be accomplished in a simpler manner. My life has always been full of energy and exercise. These have been a constant in my life even when I was unsure of what path I was going to take personally and as a career. So, for me to discover that I was able to have a career in what I loved was a joy. For the past 30 years I have taught and practiced within the world of wellbeing as a personal trainer and a yoga teacher/practitioner. My joy is to teach in a way that is accessible for all, so each person can find their way of doing that works for them.

< Back Rob Mackay Tai Chi Practioner & TMW Teacher I’ve practised tai chi for more than 30 years and now teach Tai chi Movement for Wellbeing (TMW), a unique sequence of movements and key teachings, specially developed to promote physical, psychological and emotional health and wellbeing. With origins in Tai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation, the TMW sequence distils elements of these arts into a simple series of beautiful movements, without complex forms to learn or difficult techniques to master. The TMW sequence is designed as a vehicle for people to develop a set of skills and understandings, firstly practised within the TMW movements and then gradually taken into every aspect of their lives. For example, I ask - do you sometimes feel life is out of control, and your feet never touch the ground? Yes, is the predominant answer, but through the TMW movements my students learn how to: Become grounded in their bodies: So they feel more stable and balanced. This new sense of groundedness supports them physically, helping them to release any tension in their muscles. Relax: So there’s more circulation, flow and energy in the body. This new state of being touches their mind state – helping it to release tension so they feel calmer and more centred. Be in a more natural place of easefulness: Breathing more deeply and connected to themselves in different way. Understand that while stresses in their lives haven’t changed, they have! - So now students can make decisions and take actions from this more relaxed and balanced place in themselves. For me personally tai chi and TMW have provided balance in my life through physical exercise, relaxing meditation, a deep and profound connection to the natural world and beautiful and long lasting friendships. What’s not to like!

< Back Steve England Bushcraft Consultant, Forager & Survivalist All my life I have loved the outdoors. Growing up in Bristol, my childhood was spent exploring the fields and woodlands of Stoke Park, fascinated by every tree, plant, bird & butterfly. I would regularly leave at dawn and return at dusk, bags filled with my collections and finds, my notebook scribbled and stuffed with tree cuttings and unusual findings from the parkland. I spent hours building dens, teaching myself to light fires and listening to the bird calls. I decided to continue my learning with the RHS, studying horticulture alongside teaching myself everything there was to know about the wildlife and history on my doorstep – expanding from Stoke Park into the nearby parks, greenspaces and reserves of North Bristol. My self learning expanded into all things wild foods – the fact I could forage myself a meal for free absolutely fascinated me – and continues to cover the use of nature in all its glory – for crafts, for fire, for medicine. Over 10 years ago I began teaching all that I had learned to friends, local people and my local community. To this day, I absolutely love continuing to share this knowledge with anyone who wants to benefit from it. . Whether foraging foods, learning poisonous plants, lighting fires, recognising birds, identifying bats or looking back in time at the history of North Bristol, I come alive when in front of an audience and thrive on utilising my passions to help others enhance their connection to nature. If you're interested in joining me on one of my courses – check out Upcoming Events for things you can get involved in – or get in touch to chat more: Visit Website steveenglandbristol@gmail.com

Aaron Barnes (A.k.a. Quill) BoT EMERGENCY CONTACT, Safeguarding Leader, Nominated Complaints & Suggestions Trustee Emergency Contact Details: In an emergency first dial 999 For Back on Track related urgent matters please contact: Name: Aaron Barnes (A.k.a. Quill) Mob: 07942 278455 Email: aaron.barnes.2011@gmail.com < Back

< Back Dr Jan Melichar MRCPsych MD & Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Jan Melichar BSc, MB BS, MRCPsych, MD is our expert in house Consultant Psychiatrist. His special clinical interests include Drug and/or Alcohol Dependency, difficult to treat Anxiety and Depression, Pain Management and Detoxification. As well as working at Chandos House, he has been a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Psychopharmacology at the University of Bristol Medical School and an Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist in Substance Misuse for the AWP NHS Mental Health Trust.His research interests include Psychopharmacology (the actions of drugs and their effects on mood and behaviour), especially with regard to anxiety, depression and substance misuse. Dr Melichar has always been fascinated by research looking at the role and actions of the drugs used in psychiatry and how they can be improved. His long term interest in the biological basis of psychiatric disorders is balanced by an awareness that successful treatment requires an understanding of the whole person and that every patient is an individual, which resonates perfectly with the ethos at Chandos. Current membership(s) of professional, national and regional bodies include: Member of the Royal College of Psychiatry Member of the National Executive of the Addiction Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatry Member of the British Association for Psychopharmacology Member of the European Chemoreception Research Organisation

< Back Richard Leonard Sacred Combat Coach ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.

Back on Track Mission Statement Charitable Foundation No. 1172185 O ur mission is to promote over-standing in society and alleviate unnecessary suffering for all by providing a holistic, trauma-healing framework that serves as a natural antidepressant. We offer daily activities designed to support emotional healing, personal growth, and community connection, empowering men to: Talk openly about their feelings and struggles. Become better fathers, brothers, sons, partners, friends, and neighbours. Embrace inclusivity and accessibility for all, regardless of ability or disability. Give and receive support in a safe, non-judgmental space. Grow food, care for the land and planet, and cook together. Express themselves creatively through dance, music, poetry, and art. Experience healthy touch, including physical activities like wrestling and self-defense. Set boundaries, develop resilience, and gain confidence. Engage in fitness and sport, including football, to build strength for life and service. Learn to fight so they don’t have to—developing self-discipline, protection skills, and the courage to stand up for themselves and others. Embrace vulnerability - knowing it’s okay to cry, laugh, be angry, and express emotions authentically. Make eye contact without fear - without it being about confrontation or control. Show up fully in relationships - without fear, pretense, or the need to prove anything. Feel the power of telling their raw, gutsy truth—breaking free from intergenerational shame and self-silencing. Experience a healthier template for relationships—building understanding and compassion, first for themselves, then for others. O ur vision is to bring Bristol together, dismantling social divisions and competitive hierarchies. This includes making our online presence, both website and social more accessible for everyone. We believe in unity over separation, knowing that none of us can truly heal until we all do. We encourage each individual to ask what they can contribute to a fairer, more equitable world—to be part of the solution, not the problem. We reject blame and projection, focusing instead on a single guiding principle: no harm to self or others. We acknowledge that we are all doing the best we can, walking each other home, while still striving to improve. It’s no longer just about sustainability—it’s about regeneration: giving ba ck more than we take, leaving no one behind, and not stepping over trauma survivors on our way home at night, but listening to them, including them, and standing with them. Bristol is home for many and a sanctuary for those in need. Together, with a deep breath and a change of heart, we move forward. Return to Home

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