I heard an appeal for volunteers to BDI on local radio, and although my computer knowledge was fairly minimal, I thought I might be able to help. I very quickly realised how limited my computer skills were, and the range of problems which occur could be rather daunting. I therefore had to refer back to others or refer to reference books such as the appropriately named “Idiot’s guides”, to find answers to many queries.

I undertook a “crash course” at a Frankston Community Centre and began to learn a little more about the intricacies of computers and their uses. Over the last two years, I’ve learned a lot from other volunteers and the skilled people running BDI. However, the more I learn, the more I realise how much there is still to be learned.

The people we help are invariably battling major physical problems, yet they remain cheerful and optimistic and are an inspiration to us all who are trying to assist them in maintaining and improving their means of communication with their friends and relatives and, indeed, the Wide World of the Web.

Sometimes, I still feel frustrated by my lack of knowledge but there are times when I feel I can honestly say I have been of some help and that’s a good feeling. Len Dent