News / Chandos House
Bristol’s last remaining residential rehab announces closure
The director of Chandos House says it is with great sadness that he has been forced to announce the closure of Bristol’s last residential rehab.
This comes in the wake of a colossal effort to save the centre, which saw the likes of Will Self and Russell Brand speak out in support of the vital, lifesaving service it provides for people battling severe addiction and often trauma.
But the high profile crisis campaign has failed to raise the £100,000 needed to keep Chandos House open in the midst of crippling government cuts and its imminent closure was announced on Monday.
Chandos House director James Dickinson, with his sons Isaac Elliott and Josh Dickinson and the unofficial head of treatment, Bert the dog at a fundraiser in May
Director James Dickinson said: “It is with great sadness that Chandos House Addiction Treatment Centre in Bristol is announcing that after 35 years of serving the community it will be closing in eight weeks’ time.
“The recent national campaign to raise sufficient funds to maintain our vital service has been unable to achieve its target.
“We would like to thank Will Self and Russell Brand in particular for their hard work in promoting our cause, and for highlighting our plight in the face of swingeing austerity.
“We would also like to thank our hundreds of Chandos friends and family who have in recent weeks joined our struggle to survive. We will continue our work until our closure, and we remain hopeful for the miracle that might yet revive our fortune.
“The campaign remains open, optimistic of a reprieve. To this end we still need your financial support and our Local Giving page remains open. Please continue to highlight our plight as best you can.
“We will continue to raise the profile of this crisis and our campaign, and why this has to be prevented.”
Bristol24/7 spent the afternoon at Chandos House in May and heard first hand accounts of how it had offered a place of sanctuary, a glimmer of hope and instilled a sense of self-belief in men who had reached rock bottom.
The appeal is still open, to donate visit: www.localgiving.org/appeal/chandoscrisis/.
Read more: ‘It’s given me something I never had and that’s self belief’
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
