Who We Are

Who We Are

Bridges for Communities is a Bristol-based charity that connects people of different cultures, races and faiths, enabling them to build friendships and grow in their understanding of one another. Bridges was founded in 2010 by Dan & Karen Green, who were living in the Middle East at the time and were seeking ways for young people from the UK and the Middle East to be able to meet and build understanding and trust. When they moved back to the UK in 2012, they began to develop other initiatives and programs such as Peace Feast, and since then have been gradually adding projects to the Bridges portfolio. Bridges now has a fantastic team of people and works with some amazing volunteers to make the magic happen!

Our Team

DAN GREEN

Dan is the co-founder and Director of Bridges. He leads Bridges’ cultural exchange programs between the UK and the Middle East, as well as coordinating local initiatives and training in Bristol.

SAM SAYER

Sam is the Project Manager of b.friend, providing one-to-one support for asylum seekers and refugees through our amazing volunteers.

BUSHRA ALSAKKAF

Originally from Yemen, Bushra is our Refugee Engagement Worker and is responsible for organising our programme of social events for refugees and asylum seekers.

KAREN GREEN

Karen runs the Middle East b.friend programme, training volunteers to support refugees who have recently arrived in Bristol through the Resettlement scheme.

KATIE COLLIER

Katie is our volunteer fundraiser, helping us to research and apply for grants that help us to develop and grow.

MARK & SARAH EVANS

Sarah and Mark are the Bridges representatives for Cardiff, Wales. They are also the visionaries behind Peace Feast!

ROSE CODNER

Rose is our RefuLingua Project Manager and Office Administrator. She coordinates the Arabic tutoring programme and keeps us running smoothly.

ANGELA MACKMAN

Angie is our Craft Collective Coordinator, bringing together asylum seekers, refugees and local volunteers to create things – including face masks this year.

WALA ALBOUTI

Wala is our RefuLingua Project Assistant (maternity cover), helping to develop teaching materials and liaising with our tutors.

JENNY FALCON OTERO

Jenny is our Office Administrator (maternity cover), doing lots of important jobs behind the scenes to keep us running smoothly.