'When I'm out walking my worries disappear'

"We In Front" is a walking group based in Huddersfield

A walking group primarily made up of people from Huddersfield's West Indian community is "changing lives", its members have said.

Founded by 71-year-old Errol Hamlet, the "We In Front" group walks four days a week and encourages people aged over 50 to maintain good physical and mental health.

Mr. Hamlet, a finalist in the BBC Radio Leeds 2025 Make a Difference Awards, was inspired to start the group during the Covid pandemic after people felt isolated.

Five years later, the group has more than 30 members and regularly walked within a 20-mile radius of Huddersfield.

Occasionally they partner their walks with organisations such as the Huddersfield Art Gallery and the Canal and River Trust.

They also have monthly day trips to other locations, including the Peak District and the North York Moors.

In April 2026 they are heading further afield for a walking trip in southern Spain.

Errol Hamlet, 71, founded the group and has been nominated for a BBC award

"Usually, Caribbean people don't walk for pleasure, they walk for purpose," said walk leader Lillalee Wright, 63.

"This is walking for leisure, walking for health."

She added: "I love walking with Errol because he loves to stop and just say, 'breathe it in, stop and stare'."

Most walks are followed by picnics, live music and dancing, the group said.

Many in the group have links to Carriacou in the Grenadines, including 74-year-old Winston Billy.

Last year he suffered a stroke and was told by his doctor that the amount of walking he did may have saved his life.

Many members of the group have various health issues, according to Mr Hamlet, but when they attend a hike "they smile and they just want to walk".

Mr Hamlet himself has had prostate cancer and hip and knee replacements.

"We In Front changed my life," he said.

"When I'm out here walking my worries disappear."

Reflecting on his Make A Difference Award nomination, he said: "I didn't believe it!

"I just felt on top of the world - I'm really doing something good, I'm making people happy."

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