Sharing skills on the west coast: New Corner Brook DIY Society launches

A couple of do-it-yourself advocatesin Corner Brook are leading the charge to create a skill-sharing network in Western Newfoundland.

Pierre Garigue and Toshon Dawe are two of the people behind the area's new DIY Society, and they told CBC News Monday the hope is to create a way for people to teach each other all kinds of new skills.

"The idea is like say I have a great idea for a video game, but who do i need? I can't do this by myself, I need artists, I need writers, I need storyboarding. I need voiceover artists," said Garigue.

He said aFacebook group has been created for the society so that every day people can post what they're looking to get help with or what skills they can share.

"[We're] trying to get people who have skills either in the arts, in the crafts, in the electronics, in traditional skills, in interpersonal skills that they can pass on," said Garigue.

'Rich culture'

Dawe said the DIY Society was an idea that appealed to her right away.

"There's a rich culture in Newfoundland where traditional skills are part of our everyday life."

"I think it's really exciting. The idea is to become collaborative and create something," she said.

The first skill-sharing session is scheduled for Thursday at Memorial University's Grenfell Campus.

A meeting to discuss further ideas for the society will be held a week later on Aug. 24.

"The more people we have is strength in numbers," said Dawe.