A new project has been set up to help the 400,000 veterans living in Scotland who may have difficulty adjusting to civilian life after active service.
A partnership between care organisation Erskine and volunteering charity TimeBank, the Shoulder To Shoulder Erskine scheme recruits and trains volunteers to provide one-to-one mentoring support to ex-servicemen and women and their families in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The project has already recruited and trained a number of local volunteers and is now looking to match them with veterans and service families who would like support.
Ali Smith, of Shoulder To Shoulder Erskine, said: “Many ex-service men and women find it difficult to adjust to civilian life after active service – while their families often face unique challenges in understanding the issues their partners, sons and daughters are going through.
“Many service veterans are in a state of crisis in their lives, with complex problems including financial hardship, homelessness, alcohol dependency and health issues, including depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
“Mentoring can really help – whether you want someone to talk to on the phone or meet for a chat, or need support to set goals and move on.”
The project is funded by the Forces In Mind Trust and the Henry Smith Charity. For more information, or to become a volunteer, visit www.timebank.org.uk/shoulder-to-shoulder-scotland.