A COMMUNITY project helping former forces personnel reintegrate back into society is set to expand its work into a prison and areas of Merseyside and North Lancashire following a funding boost.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is partnering with the Sale Sharks Community Trust following the success of the Sharks Forces programme over the past 24 months, which has provided support to more than 500 military veterans and their families across the North West.

A new project called 'Life outside the Camo' has been set up in order to increase the reach of the programme and help younger ex-service personnel, as well as their families.

Ex-servicemen and women in the area will benefit from increased support, as the Trust hopes to expand the reach of the project and help even more people across the region.

Craig Monaghan, a former army soldier who helps deliver the Sharks Forces programme, said: "The fundamental aim of the new ‘Life outside the Camo’ project is to help give ex-service personnel a sense of belonging in their local communities.

"We're particularly looking to help those aged around 40 or younger as I know from experience that at this age, the transition to civilian life can be difficult and there’s often a real stigma attached to asking for help.

"We can't wait to build on that with this new project and the support of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity."

Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, added: “Strong communities can become a fundamental key to helping veterans on their journey after they leave the Army."