The British Union Conference (BUC) Women’s Ministries Department continues to recognise Seventh-day Adventist women who are making a meaningful impact within their communities. As part of this ongoing series, we highlight the work and journey of Dionne Corrodus-Weekes, Human Resources Practitioner and Executive Director/Community Lead of Dagenham Eagles.
SPM – Dionne, please share with our readers an outline of your career path.
For me, career progression has always been about transforming lives through listening, learning, leadership, and selfless service – it has never been about titles or status. Early experience in management accounting, school business leadership, and the people profession helped shape my professional values.
Volunteering in Barking and Dagenham has kept my leadership grounded in real lives and lived experiences. Rooted in “soft systems” thinking, I balance strategic oversight with compassion, governance, integrity, innovation, and accountability.
SPM – How did you sense God’s leading along the way?
I was baptised at the Ocho Rios Seventh-day Adventist church in Jamaica, where my Youth Sponsor, Fay Yapshing, created an environment in which I could thrive. I embraced responsibility early, qualifying as a Master Guide at sixteen and becoming a Youth Leader at eighteen. These experiences taught me discipline, service, and the importance of using God-given opportunities to uplift others.
My leadership journey continued in South London (Area 6B), where I served as Area Secretary and later succeeded Richard Delisser as Youth Area Coordinator. Working closely with Pastor James Phillip to raise the profile of Pathfinder and Youth Ministries strengthened their relevance in local communities.
Encouragement from Pastor Paul Tompkins regarding my British Union Conference youth editorials and later being informed by Pastor Cecil Perry that I had been elected as a Trans-European Division youth delegate to attend the 55th General Conference Session, affirmed God’s leading in my life.
SPM – Your interest in youth led you to develop Dagenham Eagles. Please tell us about that.
What began as a six-month Sabbath School Adventurer Club prototype, inspired by Isaiah 40:31, grew into a Pathfinder Club and eventually a recognised community asset.
Evidence-based surveys from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham highlighted challenges facing low-income families, including unemployment, health inequalities, and early parenthood. These realities called for an innovative response.
Pastor Kirk Thomas (now South England Conference President) helped catalyse our vision when he supported our request for community marching drums. The name Dagenham Eagles was inspired by a symbolic gift inscribed “Marco Eagles”, once owned by the First Peoples of the United States.
As community needs grew, the work extended beyond the capacity of traditional church structures. What some believed should be discontinued became a God-breathed initiative, sustained through resilience, determination, and selfless service. Today, Dagenham Eagles proudly wear the borough insignia and represent the community at numerous public events.
SPM – In what ways has your passion for community service shaped your outreach?
My commitment to outreach is deeply personal. My father, a community pioneer, shaped my early interest in youth work, while my mother, a community midwife, served families selflessly in local clinics. Their example instilled in me a lifelong commitment to children, youth, community health, and wellbeing.
Following their passing, I became more actively involved in community volunteering, working alongside civic and community leaders to empower sustainable change for future generations.
SPM – What are some of the key interventions you have undertaken, and what impact have they had?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, I piloted an online school initiative within the Central Jamaica Conference. This later evolved into a Pathfinder e-Honours programme, which I helped scale globally in partnership with the British Union Conference.
After completing the North England Conference’s first Children’s Health Expo training, I became involved in a borough-wide consortium in Barking and Dagenham. This led to delivering the inaugural Holiday Activities, Food and Fun (HAF) programme.
Our programme ideas contributed to the development of a borough-wide digital healthy cookbook with QR codes, while our food hamper initiative was scaled up across London through the Mayor’s Fund for London. These initiatives enabled practical support and resource distribution to families in need.
SPM – You were recently recognised in the Barking and Dagenham Black History Hall of Fame (2025) and received the Anne Estlea Lifetime Achievement Award (2026). Tell us more.
I am deeply humbled. These recognitions affirm God’s work through my service to the people of Barking and Dagenham.
Both awards reflect a collective effort – to honour every young person who chose a better path, every parent who found hope, and every volunteer who served faithfully. My greatest reward is not recognition, but witnessing confidence restored, opportunities created, and communities transformed.
SPM – What message would you like to leave with our readers regarding outreach ministry?
Outreach begins with presence – listening, observing, and then serving consistently.
Each of us has something valuable to offer. Start where you are, with what you have. Never underestimate how one act of courage or kindness can change the direction of a life.
Serve selflessly, lead with integrity, and walk by faith – because transformed lives truly do transform communities.
Closing
SPM – Thank you, Dionne, for your outstanding contribution to community life and for the many lives that continue to be blessed through your service.
