More than 15 million people volunteer in the UK every month, lending their time and talents to causes as varied as food banks, libraries, hospitals and conservation.

No longer an activity for bored housewives or the retired, volunteering has undergone a revolution and a large percentage of the adult population now carry out some form of voluntary work, from driving and administration to fundraising and gardening.

The list is endless, and there really is something for everyone.

Volunteering opportunities, in Southampton alone include befriending patients and families living with cancer at the Southampton Cancer Support Centre, maintaining rigging, steelwork and deck machinery on board historic steamship, SS Shieldhall, which is owned by volunteer led charity, Solent Steam Packet, whose main objective is to preserve the ship in operational condition and Southampton Town Walls Wardens, who help look after Southampton's historic walls.

And, SeaCity Museum is even looking for ten Dinosaur Interpreters!

The role requests amateur palaeontologists be outgoing, bubbly, enthusiastic and ready to help visitors explore dinosaur digs, lead object-handling and become something of an expert on all things ancient reptile for their Dinosaur Encounter, a touring exhibition from the Natural History Museum and SeaCity’s flagship exhibition for the summer.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations [NCVO] data base, shows that between 2012 and 2013 volunteering contributed an estimated £23.9bn to the UK economy.

This week, to mark National Volunteers' Week 2015, charities, community groups and other organisations are holding events to thank their volunteers for the contribution they make, as without them many could not continue to run.

Community Roots Project Manager, Duncan Reade, admits that the allotment scheme - a partnership between Southampton Voluntary Services and The Ideal Collection, a Hampshire based hospitality business, which aims to provide integrated supported volunteering, training and work experience opportunities to people who have experienced homelessness, mental health, alcohol or substance misuse - would not be able to run without volunteers.

"Without our volunteers there would be no project," he said. "There is just no way we could achieve what we do without them.

"Gardening wasn't a passion of mine before I became involved with Community Roots, but it is now. It's very therapeutic and working with such a diverse range of people from various backgrounds breaks down barriers and brings people together. It is very gratifying to see what we achieve as a team."

Justin Moore, who volunteers at the project, used to be a landscape gardener and is enjoying putting his skills to work. "I love nature, so volunteering at Community Roots is perfect for me," he explained. "Growing food and seeing the results of all of the hard work is really really satisfying - it makes me feel worthwhile and all warm inside. And I really enjoy doing all the handyman type jobs."

Volunteer gardening mentor Liz Marsh is retired and loves being able to share her knowledge with the other volunteers, and Duncan: "I really like gardening," she said. "And I love being able to spend time on the allotment, it's such good fun - even when the weather isn't great.

"I get to meet lots of different people and I love getting to share my knowledge with others."

Duncan added: "I have a passion for people and seeing them change and evolve and discovering their own purpose and sense of self worth is very rewarding."

To find out more, visit www.southamptonvs.org.uk/SVS/Our-Services/Community-Roots or call Duncan on 023 8021 6014.

If gardening isn't you thing and you've always fancied yourself as a bit of a lifesaver, why not consider volunteering for the RNLI or Her Majesty's Coastguard?

Every day, around the coast, hundreds of people make a 999 call when they find themselves out of their depth in the sea or stuck in the mud and unable to free themselves - it’s a Coastguard Rescue Team, or the RNLI, that will be on hand to help, and they need more volunteers for their rescue teams.

Ordinary people doing an extraordinary job, Coastguard Rescue Teams can be called into action any time, day or night.

Head of Coastal Operations Charles Ball said: “If you live in a coastal community, you’ll know how vital the Coastguard Rescue Team is to the area. These are people who are prepared to react day or night - often in matters of life and death. What they do matters. And we need more people like them to join."

Have you got what it takes to be a Coastguard?

If so, visit: www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard/what-to-expect-as-a-volunteer.

Or, if something a little less exhilarating is more to your taste, Southampton Hospital Volunteers are always on the lookout to add to their 1000 strong team.

Qualifications, experience, age or background rarely matter. What volunteers do have in common is commitment, reliability, a liking for people, a sense of humour and a cheerful disposition.

Voluntary work is valued, varied and interesting, with a wide range of tasks available, including patient surveys, meet and greet, hospital radio, flower arrangers, pastoral volunteers and mealtime assistance.

If you think you have what it takes to share the care, please email volunteers@uhs.nhs.uk or call 023 8120 4688 for an application form.