In February, communities were devastated by storm Dennis, Ciara and Jorge, and, just a few weeks later, we moved into a national lockdown that brought unprecedented and extraordinary restrictions on every aspect of our lives. The critical need for such restrictions has never diminished, however difficult they have been. As we know, the virus is cruel, spreading from loved one to loved one, through our most human need to see family and friends, as well as the spiritual needs so clearly expressed by our faith communities. So little of our lives has been left untouched, including those of faith communities, who were asked for a long period not to congregate, not to open their places of worship, not to mark their important festivals in the way they usually would. No Member here would underestimate how great an ask that was, neither will any Member be surprised to know that these restrictions did not diminish the efforts and spirit of our faiths in Wales. And while the physical doors were shut, the work did not stop. In fact—and I speak directly to the faith community now— your resourcefulness and energy to find ways to keep in touch with your own worshippers has been remarkable. You've reached out to the wider community, and you hold both the gratitude and the admiration of this Government and the Senedd as a whole.

This response to adversity is reflected at times of crisis. After the February flooding in Pontypridd, the churches of Castle Square and St David's Uniting helped to clean up the local area and raised over £2,000 for local flood victims. Community House, Newport, has been bringing people together from all ages, backgrounds, races and religions for over half a century. It provides a home for many groups and activities, including a Caribbean church, an Ethiopian church and two east European churches. And many of the people who attend Community House are from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, experiencing the profound and disproportionate impact of coronavirus. Community House has arranged regular Zoom meetings to get community leaders in touch with people who are in need of help. They've provided food parcels, computers and internet access for children, in partnership with the Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales, 'With Me In Mind', and a community connector. I urge faith groups to take the opportunity to apply for the funding I've made available from the COVID-19 third sector response fund and through the community facilities programme. And I hope this will help them to provide continued support to their communities.

Food banks across Wales, often hosted by places of worship, have continued to share food with those in need, and new ones have opened. Churches like Gateway in Abergavenny have provided hot meals for children while the school was closed, and also provided a hot meal for NHS staff for 11 weeks through lockdown—around 1,200 cooked meals. They've also given school bags and stationery to children as they return to school. I've heard of many examples of support being given over the phone, with members being encouraged to ring each other, contact those in care homes, and providing opportunities to pray by phone. 

Each year, Interfaith Week is usually marked by gatherings, a walk and a concert, last year featuring the interfaith choir. This year, I joined a virtual 'Music and the Spoken Word' event, organised by the Interfaith Council for Wales. I was delighted to see the interfaith council's suggestions for personal and social daily exchanges through Interfaith Week, from planting something, doing a kind deed for someone, and to write three things that make us feel grateful. It was also an opportunity to hear directly from people about how they're coping through the pandemic. 

During these past months, the interfaith council has supported the project run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to donate 11,300 hygiene bags to the patients of the hospitals and care homes across Wales, so that people had access to basic essentials when their family members, friends and neighbours were not able to visit them. Deputy Llywydd, these are just a few of the examples from our communities across Wales.

During Interfaith Week, there was an LGBT+ event hosted by the Swansea Unitarian Church and the university faith team. The virtual gathering gave people an opportunity to share, connect and make friends. I'm also aware of the work by faith groups to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and against the scourge of racism. And during a time when key festivals such as Eid, Easter, Hanukkah, the Jewish new year, and, more recently, the Feasts of All Saints and the Feast of All Souls, will or have been disrupted, you've worked to ensure people can still mark these occasions. This year, we marked Diwali with inspiring online events. I'm pleased that the Hindu and Sikh faith communities in Wales who celebrate Diwali participated in the events that the Welsh Government organised to mark Diwali, such as the digital Diwali celebrations from 9-13 November.

Fundraising for good causes has continued. Outreach has not stopped, and the support for some of the most vulnerable people across our country has been kept strong. During national volunteering week, I met with people who told me about their volunteering work during Ramadan, helping those around their community during these difficult times, with food parcels and care for the elderly throughout this pandemic.

The way the Government and the faith communities have been able to work together during the past months is testimony to the strength and importance of the faith communities forum. It reflects the long-standing, multicultural and multifaith traditions that are deeply rooted in communities across Wales, and has enabled us to keep an open and constructive dialogue. So, I'd like to thank all volunteers in every village, town and city across Wales for your tireless work. I don't underestimate the magnitude of your task, comforting others and supporting vulnerable people, and I hope that all Members will join me in marking Interfaith Week and celebrating the outstanding work of our communities of faith and no faith in this extraordinary year.