Volunteering must adapt over the next two decades to help Scottish society face major challenges that include an ageing population and loneliness, researchers have warned.

A new study has outlined the current scale of the contribution of volunteers in Scotland, including more than 200,000 people in the health and social care sector and around 280,000 in sports clubs.

However, it warns a different approach will be needed by 2040, with a focus on health and wellbeing and reaching out to disadvantaged communities.

A “radical” shift to older volunteers is also predicted, with the number of over-65s expected to increase by 102,000 over the next two decades as young volunteers decline by 41,000.

Overall, this is “good news” with a net increase of eight million volunteer hours every year by 2041.

Report author Matthew Linning, of Volunteer Scotland, said there are no quick fixes for the long-term problems facing society, but: “The evidence shows that volunteering has an important role to play in making Scotland a healthier and more inclusive society.

“We know that volunteering is a powerful remedy with the potential to boost the health and wellbeing of volunteers.

“Regular volunteering, more than once a month, is often just ‘what the doctor ordered’, making the volunteer and those they support feel better.

“However, to help address the complex social and economic trends facing Scotland over the next 20 years, we must challenge the status quo for volunteering and its contribution to society.”

The largest numbers of volunteers are currently found in the sector of children’s activities – both within schools where 311,000 people volunteer and outside schools, with 310,000 giving up their time.

Around 287,000 people are involved in sport and exercise, with 258,000 in local community and neighbourhood groups.

Hobbies, recreation, arts and social clubs account for 249,000 volunteers, while the health, disability and social welfare sector has 215,000 volunteers.

Religious groups have around 200,000 volunteers, while activities involving older people account for 155,000.

Other sectors which all have less than 100,000 volunteers include environmental protection, adult education, safety, wildlife and animal welfare groups, political groups, citizens groups and justice and human rights.

The report notes the greatest impact from volunteering is made within the most disadvantaged and excluded in society – in terms of benefits for both the volunteers themselves and those they are supporting.

However, they are also the least likely to become involved – which Mr Linning says is a “key challenge, but also a key opportunity”.

“If we want to achieve a fairer and more equal society in Scotland, then volunteering has a crucially important role to play.

“Using volunteering as a means of reaching and supporting those experiencing disadvantage in Scotland should be a top strategic priority in the roll-out of the ‘Volunteering for All: National Framework’.”

Communities secretary Aileen Campbell said volunteering can make a “vital contribution” to the health and wellbeing of the nation.

“As policy makers there’s much to learn from this study for the future and we welcome the opportunity to share learnings across Scottish Government, local authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships to champion the health and wellbeing benefits of volunteering.”