BISC Team
Meet the BISC Team
Alison Dawson
Director
What’s your background?
Most of my career has been in the Higher Education sector, most recently as Head of Events at the University of Bristol. When I finished studying my first role was as a volunteer with the Taizé Community, where I mucked in with various jobs at the community in France, but also spent a few months in Barcelona working with local churches to organise a big youth event. Living in an international community was an amazing experience and, looking back, planted the seeds for where God was leading me twenty years later.
What do you love about BISC?
I love that at BISC there is no majority culture - we’re in the UK, but other than English being the common language we could be anywhere. I love listening to the students talking about their country, families, and what’s important to them. And it’s a privilege to watch students who first arrive looking anxious, relaxing into the environment and starting to feel at home.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I love music, reading and being outdoors. My perfect weekend is heading out to the countryside with my husband and two boys to enjoy hilltop views or tramp through muddy woods!
Ben Mitchell
Operations Manager
What’s your background?
I have always had an interest in different cultures and languages, partly due to meeting international students during my school years as a youngster. I started volunteering with BISC when I was 18 and I did that for a few years before moving to France for five years. I then spent the next 12 years working as a full-time hairdresser and barber based in Avignon and Bristol, as well as spending half a year in Taipei.
What do you love about BISC?
I love working at BISC because it constantly reminds me how lucky we are in Bristol to meet people from all over the world. Seeing different cultures and personalities mix, watching people make an effort to be open, and having the opportunity to make someone feel comfortable and safe in a new culture is such a privilege!
What do you like doing in your spare time?
As for my interests, I love sports—anything I can get my hands on—though I’m still very much "football mad." I also enjoy spending time with my wife, family, children, and friends. I'm also into dancing, gardening, running around, drinking tea, and swimming in the sea
Melissa Qian
Communications Manager
What’s your background?
I'm originally from Mainland China and have been living in the UK for over 7 years. I studied for a Master’s degree in Economics and Finance at the University of Bristol as an international student.
My journey with BISC started in early 2022 as a volunteer. I later did my internship year here (2023–2024), and eventually — I’m so grateful to say — I got my first-ever job at BISC!
What do you love about BISC?
I’m quite an extroverted person — I love meeting people, having chats and deep conversations. During my Master’s, I went through a really difficult season, and BISC became like a family that supported me emotionally.
It’s a place that felt like home, gave me space to grow, and still holds many important memories for me.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I love singing, listening to music, watching TV dramas, reading Bible & Christian books, going for walks, and having deep conversations!
Zoe Feng
Events Manager
What’s your background?
I was a reporter for more than 7 years focusing on Environment Protection in China. It was a very fulfilling experience. While working, I was also doing things that would help the future and humanity, which extended the meaning of my life. In 2021, I came to the University of Bristol with my family to further my studies. Fascinated by the greenery and tradition of Bristol, we decided to stay and create more wonderful memories in the UK.
What do you love about BISC?
I love the family-like atmosphere. Since a student at UoB, I have been a regular volunteer at BISC. Thanks to the welcome and kindness from BISC staff and local volunteers, I have received a lot of support and help. No matter the past or now, I enjoy my work in BISC everyday. Besides, I love to communicate with international students during lunch time, just like a family gathering in granny's garden.
What do you like doing in your spare time? ?
I continue to report on the environment and sustainability area as a freelance writer. I like swimming, yoga and all kinds of sports. During holiday, I enjoy exploring British museums and beachsides with my family and being refreshed in a historical cafe.
Meet some of our regular volunteers
David Watteau
Building Maintenance
A key player helping to keep our building looking great and our tenants safe.
Helen Beales
Local Link
Our coordinator connecting individual students with local families.
Chris
Elmo
Eli
Kim
Sonia
Sue
Jun
Roger
University of Bristol Christian Union
Our Trustees
Joanne Appleton
Joanne has been involved in BISC for many years, initially as a volunteer with Wednesday lunches and Local Link Host, and subsequently as a trustee, and chair of trustees since June 2023.
Originally a physiotherapist, Joanne also has a background in cross-cultural comms and marketing. Her current 'day job' is with the NHS, supporting changes in services in primary and community care through programme management, quality improvement, coaching and facilitation. She has two grown up daughters and loves nothing better than a long walk with her husband, followed by a good curry and film.
Andrew Street
In parallel with a successful career as an environmental consultant and international waste management specialist Andrew has in recent years increasingly become involved in charity work and social enterprise / business and social investment in Bristol, and also actively supporting microfinance and social investment in the developing world. Andrew is an active member of Woodlands Church in Bristol, and passionate about putting his faith into action.
Esther Champion
Esther primarily works in the Criminal Justice Sector educating employers and organisations about criminal justice and how to confidently hire people who have a conviction She also works for a Bristol based charity which supports people on release from prison. Her passion for BISC comes from her own experience of living abroad as an adult and needing to adjust to a different language and culture. Whilst there she was accepted into a family and made some lifelong friends. All things that Bisc provides to international students living in Bristol.
Johnny Wall
Johnny worked for Lloyds Banking Group for 38 years, before retiring in 2023. He is married to Emma and lives in Henleaze. He attends Ebenezer Church in Filton. Johnny loves helping out at BISC, particularly with general maintenance tasks.
Christine Rogers
Christine is the treasurer here at BISC.
