A charity which helps Scottish soldiers struggling to adjust to civilian life, has been awarded a grant of £50,000 to extend its work.

TimeBank is getting the money from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, to support efforts to reduce their risk of soldiers suffering social and economic isolation.

The grant will enable the charity to extend its volunteer mentoring project, Shoulder to Shoulder Erskine (S2SE), for a further year in partnership with the Scottish veterans’ charity Erskine, and to focus on the needs of ex-army personnel.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of TimeBank, said: “Many ex-service men and women are in a state of crisis in their lives, with complex problems including financial hardship, homelessness, alcohol dependency and health issues. Volunteer mentoring can be a vital aid in their transition to sustainable, healthy and productive civilian lives.”

Retired Brigadier Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff ABF The Soldiers’ Charity adds: “Whilst most soldiers transition to civilian life with very few problems, there are some that may find it difficult. The Soldiers’ Charity is delighted to be supporting TimeBank in its important work helping those veterans who are struggling.”

S2SE was set up in 2014 to recruit and train volunteers to provide one to one mentoring support to members of the ex-services community in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Mentors encourage them to manage their finances, use public transport, take exercise and write CVs, to access local support services and sort out housing issues.