BOB Shaw, of the Dorset Mental Health Forum, said volunteering gave an individual many of the same feel-good effects as exercising.

He added: “Voluntary work gives structure to people’s lives and it gives them a sense of well-being.

“We encourage people to take on voluntary work because it’s like the endorphins you get from exercising.

“People who have lost their confidence feel that their lives are over and one of the good things about volunteering is that you can go and do it without any pressure to perform.

“On a good day when you do achieve things it reflects back on yourself.

“It’s like a real confidence booster.”

• Dorset Wildlife Trust is appealing for volunteers for a number of tasks from clearing rhododendron to completing wildlife surveys.

See dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk for more information.

• National charity Family Lives, which works with families in challenging situations, is looking for volunteers to support the charity. See familylives.org.uk/volunteering for more information.

• Volunteers are also needed at Vitalise Netley Waterside House in Southampton to provide support and companionship for disabled guests at the accessible holiday centre. See vitalise.org.uk for more information.