The call comes as a new YouGov survey conducted for Helpforce reveals that while 24% of UK adults would consider gifting their time to bolster the NHS, the figure rises to 33% among the 18-24 age group.

The survey, which coincides with the launch of the charity's new ‘Giving Back, Transforming Care' awareness campaign, also revealed that 67% of people support the idea of a mass NHS volunteer recruitment drive.

The charity would like a recruitment drive to focus on attracting young adults into ‘response volunteers' positions who take on vital tasks such as:

• Collecting prescribed medication from hospital pharmacies for patients
• Transporting blood samples from bedsides to on-site labs
• Escorting patients to diagnostic tests or x-rays
• Providing refreshments for patients and their families
• Restocking supplies like bedding, aprons and masks.

Amerjit Chohan, Helpforce chief executive, said: ‘We call on the Government to invest in the biggest health volunteering recruitment drive since the pandemic, with a focus on attracting young adults into response volunteer roles.

‘Evidence shows that this specific type of support can have a transformative impact on overall hospital efficiency – crucially leading to a reduction in the length of treatment waiting lists.'

The charity says it has gathered compelling evidence that volunteers make a real difference:

• 86% of frontline NHS staff report that trained volunteers improve the care they provide
• For every 10,000 new NHS ‘response volunteers' recruited, 1.1 million hours of annual efficiency gains can be achieved by the health service
• Each individual's response' volunteer' supports an average of 2,500 patients and undertakes 6,600 tasks.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: ‘Tens of thousands of highly motivated volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life already gift their time and talents to NHS trusts nationwide and there is growing evidence that they make a significant contribution – not only improving the experiences of patients receiving healthcare, but also in terms of enhancing the working lives of the health professionals they support. In my previous roles as a trust leader, I've seen for myself the great benefits this can bring, including the essential work of volunteers with ambulance services.

‘Forward-thinking NHS trusts no longer view volunteering programmes as a ‘nice-to-have' and instead regard them as a strategic imperative. With YouGov's poll revealing that a third of 18 to 24-year-olds have an appetite to get involved in health volunteering, there would be clear merit in a high-profile, government-led recruitment drive targeting young adults.'

Dr Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of The Health Foundation, said: ‘It's fascinating to see that young adults seem to have the highest levels of appetite for NHS volunteering and heartening that so many of them want to do something practical to help others in need, as well as support the NHS which in turn can offer them so much.

‘As well as those aged 18 to 24 having a great deal to offer the NHS as volunteers, exposing them to healthcare settings is likely to interest them in a career in the NHS – which could be hugely worthwhile for them, and boost the NHS workforce with young, committed talent.'

The call for a mass mobilisation of volunteers is backed by leading health organisations, including The Welsh NHS Confederation, Voluntary Health Scotland and Wales Council for Voluntary Action.