When Chris got the Social Inclusion officer job at Arts Council he came straight round to our house to let me know. I was devastated that he would be leaving Action Factory, that we wouldn't be spending every day together putting the world to rights, dreaming big dreams and talking nonsense. I knew there was no way I could carry on working at Action Factory without him and spent the weekend sobbing, trying to imagine how I could possibly cope.

He left and I coped, and one of the reasons I was able to cope was because of Chris and his belief in me and my abilities. It was as if he had been preparing me for his departure. Work wasn't nearly as much fun or inspiring and I missed him terribly, but I stepped up and began to take on some of the tasks and roles he had previously carried out and I tried to channel a bit of Chris in my dealings with colleagues, partners and groups. I knew the difference it made when he believed in me and I tried my hardest to live those values and pass on that support to other people.

Chris died suddenly four weeks ago yesterday and we are all taking tentative steps into a world without him. One of the reasons we will cope is because of Chris, because of his belief in each of us and our abilities, and his passion for helping other people to shine. Life will be less interesting, less fun and we will miss him terribly but every day I encounter people who are taking inspiration from his life and his passion. I think those of us who knew him will always carry a little bit of Mr May's spirit with us, in our hearts and in our red socks. It is as if he had been preparing us for his departure.