Sai Dharshini Pathmanathan explains how she set up a project to help older people get to grips with technology.

Technology often gets the better of us: computers crash, emails remain undelivered, and mobiles ring when you're in an important meeting with your boss. But what do you do if you're faced with a computer that you can't even switch on, let alone work out whether it's crashed?

Plenty of people are living in this increasingly technological world, without going anywhere near a computer. It's true that some think there are better things in life than being able to email someone in another continent, but there are others who want to learn, but don't know where to go. And interestingly, the most curious individuals are the over-60s.

A few years ago, as a student, I was offered a free place on a course to develop my management, leadership and business skills. I've never fancied myself as one of those Alan-Sugar-Apprentice types, but I'm certainly not one to pass up the opportunity to go on a fully-paid course and meet new people. One particular activity even inspired me. We were put into groups and asked to come up with a business plan for some shiny new venture and to pitch our idea to the course directors. A bit like the BBC's Dragon's Den, except with nicer dragons!

We came up with an idea to offer courses, holidays and fun activities for the elderly and recently retired. The courses were mainly to offer technological assistance to 'Silver Surfers'. Naturally, being a techy freak and loving gadgets of all kinds, this appealed to me. So I suggested the name of the company: 'Young@Heart'.

Making it a reality

Having finished the exercise, leaving the course and coming back to the reality of being a student again, I soon forgot all about our fabulous idea. It wasn't until I was back in my hometown, and met a retired couple who lived down my road that I thought about it again. They mentioned that their grandchildren had given them a computer. Although they'd joined a local computer class there was only one tutor and they didn't feel they were getting very far.

I asked them what it was they really wanted to learn. It wasn't the simple 'surfing the net' or typing a letter. They wanted to print address labels for all their Christmas card contacts. Not a problem at all.

And that's how it started. Through word of mouth and via other friends and family, I've helped - and continue to help - various people with their technology needs, from setting up online banking to printing out digital photos and making greeting cards. I visit them, and either run a specific lesson on a topic they want to know more about (with associated guide sheets), or I find a topic that I know will be of interest to them. Each student has different needs, and if it's too technical for me, an old colleague of mine who knows about everything techy, from servers to IP addresses, helps out.

What I get out of it

Being able to offer this free service to those who want to ask questions without feeling inhibited makes me feel like I'm doing something useful. I currently have four students, and I meet them either once a week at weekends, fortnightly or monthly for a couple of hours in their homes. Since they are people I know either directly, or through other friends and family, I do this purely for my enjoyment of teaching people what I know. There's no money involved (my input is all completely voluntary), but there are plenty of rewards when you see results. People who were afraid to touch the computer in case it blew up are now booking holidays, flights and hotel rooms online.

I would definitely encourage others to set up their own volunteering projects, since it's not always easy to find an organisation sharing the same interests or enabling you to fit into their schedule of voluntary slots. Of course, in my case it was easy to get started, I had the knowledge and the clients. If anyone out there is looking to set up something a little more substantial, it would be best to contact the Charity Commission and make sure you and all those working with you are CRB (criminal records bureau) checked. Then, the world is your oyster.

New technologies are very exciting to many of us, but scary to others. The chance to teach people who want to learn and to see these 'students' gradually gain confidence in a field that once seemed so daunting, is just amazing. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Read more about setting up your own organisation.

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