You've probably guessed that the Experience My Culture team are passionate about how we see the 'new' culture emerging from multi-culturalism, and how we think that much of the work done around forcing a multi-culturalist view on people, whilst well meaning, doesn't work.

People are far more sophisticated than that aren't they? Well, we are each unique aren't we - and each of us has our own take on the broader cultural themes that run through society. How many times have you shouted at the TV, when someone has been representing a cultural view on your behalf, "Don't presume to speak for me - I don't think like that!" (To be swifty followed up by your significant other pointing out that the people on the telly can't actually hear you shouting).

Similarly the other meaning of the word culture - art, literature, food and music - is equally as frustratingly boxed off by people telling us how we should like our art. When in reality, culture in this context  is - or should be - simply an expression of culture in the other context.

I came across Tanya Raabe the other week when she painted in public at Tate Modern, I Tweeted her blog post about the experience because I loved her take on painting, art, her own personal culture and the relationship between the painter and the person being painted.

Have a look at her blog and the pictures on Flickr of her work, you'll see what I mean.

There are those among us who actively promote the social health and welfare of our communities, people who have little or no interest in financial gain or the desire to be centre of attention. Such individuals often lose themselves in the altruistic desire to develop and or maintain a system that serves to reinforce the very fiber of society at a microscopic and rudimentary level. I refer to the local social enterprise that more often that not begins as a direct result of a local need, a need to provide local children with a place to congregate; the coffee morning for senior citizens that prevents older people in our local communities becoming isolated, groups for: young parents, women, disabled people, the list, although not endless, is comprehensive. These groups are often duplicated in towns and cities all over the country, each existing as a single strand.

These services are more often than not run exclusively by volunteers, people who have identified a need within their local community and are not afraid to respond to that need by investing their own time and energy for little or no financial reward.  

So the question that we pose is this. What would happen if these groups began sharing? Sharing the odd greeting, information about who they are and what it is that they are trying to achieve in their all local area. Advice on how they applied for funding or the hurdles and or successes the achieved when they first started out.  

Part of the answer is that these individual strands would come together to form a stronger fabric that lends itself, not only to a wider support mechanism, but a source of information and learning that serves the local and wider community by seeking to develop ties between these groups. Not just by knowing about each other but by talking and visiting one another and actively taking time to consider the things we have in common. Regardless of where in the country we may live.

We invite you to come and share the details of your social enterprise with us. Create an account (It's all free of charge), submit your profile and let’s get to know each other, let’s share.