A woman from Wood Green is getting to grips with the internet and hoping to get back to work, with a bit of help from her local UK online centre.

Dympna O’Neil, 44, says: "I was told about Selby Learning Zone by the job centre. I’d been out of work for a few months, and they suggested I go in and get a bit of practice on the computers and search for jobs online."

"I can’t walk that far because my foot got hurt in a car accident when I was 12, but the centre’s just a short bus ride away. I’d passed it before but never thought about going in. I’m so pleased I did, because it’s been absolutely brilliant!"

"I knew a bit about computers before I went into the centre - a bit of word processing and things - but I’d never really used the internet before. That’s been my biggest discovery. I was a bit nervous at first because if you’re not used to it you don’t know if you’re going to press a button or go off onto the wrong site or whatever. It’s such a big place, and without being pointed in the right direction by the tutors I’d have never found anything - I wouldn’t have known where to start!"

"Now I’ve got the confidence to explore the internet by myself, and I can search for jobs and fill in application forms online. It makes the whole process so much easier. There must be literally millions of jobs out there, and now I’m much more confident I’m going to find something. My dream job would be something in book keeping, but I’m really looking for any kind of admin role."

"I just love going into the centre because I enjoy learning and I enjoy the challenge of meeting lots of different people every day - that’s something I’m putting down on my job applications. It’s good to be seeing new faces and getting out of the house. In the past, I’ve suffered quite badly with depression. It took me a long time to get over my mother’s death, because we were very close. Then I lost my job last Christmas."

"When depression hits you, you don’t want to go anywhere, do anything or see anybody. But you can’t just sit and stare at four walls all day – it’s not good for you. Going into Selby Learning Zone UK online centre has helped me tremendously because I’ve got somewhere to go and something positive to do."

"If I don’t find a job soon I’m thinking about maybe doing some other learning at Selby Learning Zone. They do all sorts of courses, including the European Computer Driving Licence, so that might be my next step."

"It’s not particularly nice to find yourself unemployed in your mid-forties, but for me it’s a good age. You’re not too young and you’re certainly not old! Selby Learning Zone has really helped me look forward to the future, and I’d recommend anyone else to pay them a visit. The staff are so kind and supportive – they can’t do enough to help you. It’s been so good for me because it’s helping me keep on smiling, and that’s the best advice I could give to anyone."