Adding text to Custom Index for 1.8

Hi All

Needing a "dumbies" guide to coding and how to add text to the custom_index page. I've edited it to only display the modules I would like - just groups and login but need to add text.

A few plugins were helpful for <=1.7 but really wish the "Pages" could be extended to include a welcome area (I know this was possible with one plugin but not in developement anymore).

I've search Google, Elgg docs and my head is about to explode - it really isn't helping my Elgg 1.8 experience and I think should be straight forward from the admin.

So how does one add some text to the custom_index page?

Cheers