It could be even more important now for companies to be social responsible, one expert has said, which could encourage some firms to use their employee services to organise events for staff to raise money for local charities.

Paul Emery, head of community and social organisation at insurance group Zurich, explained the economic downturn could have increased the importance of businesses taking such action.

They would not be alone if they did, as recent research from the financial services provider has shown individuals are offering their time to unpaid pursuits to help others.

Zurich’s study, which was conducted by YouGov, found more than half – 55 per cent – of Britons participated in some kind of volunteering last year.

The most popular charitable deeds the respondents had completed included getting their teeth into duties to help local people, neighbourly deeds, giving their time to help a cause based in their geographical area and fundraising for such a reason.

Dr Tom Farsides, lecturer in social psychology at the University of Sussex, explained there are several types of volunteer.

The most common is the you-gooder, which is when individuals conduct activities without getting paid in order to improve their personal situation.

For instance, five per cent said they took part because they thought it would help them gain more career opportunities.

As many as seven per cent volunteered for their personal enjoyment, five per cent did it to socialise and four per cent participated to learn new skills.

Altogether, 25 per cent of all those giving their time away for free were you-gooders and since these individuals are happy to spend time furthering their career or training through work that is unpaid, they may also be the kind of candidate that will be prepared to receive employee benefits rather than a high wage.

Many businesses may be in such a position at the moment that they are unable to provide a large salary for personnel, but with Mr Emery stating volunteering is often useful for improving a person’s chances in the workforce, some firms may find the kind of staff members they are looking for by interviewing former helpers at charitable organisations.

“Volunteering does have a dual benefit, because it does have a positive impact on the people or cause you’re trying to support, but it helps you as well, to develop your skills in a way that can only help in terms of your future career and job aspiration,” he stated.

“It shows individuals are prepared to put a bit more into their lives and to support other people as well – that’s a really good thing,” the expert added.

Dr Farsides identified three other types of volunteer that are less common than you-gooders.

Clani-itarians, who accounted for 12 per cent of those giving their time away for free, are people who tend to conduct duties that will directly benefit people they know.

Meanwhile, 24 per cent of volunteers were Heart-isans. These people choose to get involved with charities and do unpaid work because for causes that are very important to their values.

Lastly, loc-altruists, who made up a fifth of the volunteers surveyed, enjoy making a difference in their local community, liking to keep it clean and tidy.

Mr Emery stressed giving time away for free is not a substitute for paid positions, but it can be beneficial.

“Ultimately, it’s important young people are doing jobs they enjoy and are being paid for that, but as a route alongside that, even if they’re volunteering while they’re working or as a route into the workplace, I think volunteering is a really positive thing to be doing in your community,” he said.