As a GP I often recommend volunteering to patients suffering from depression and I have seen some dramatic improvements in people’s depression after becoming a volunteer.

Their self-esteem and sense of purpose returns. I have found that the number of appointments they need with me often reduces as does their need for sick leave.

On occasions we have avoided the need for medication because volunteering has given the improvement in wellbeing the patient was looking for that had not been found by other means.

 Dr Paul Davis, GP