politician gives speech in room
Peredur Owen Griffiths MS giving his keynote speech at the Torfaen Voluntary Alliance event

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS hailed the efforts of volunteers for making their communities better places.

The Plaid Cymru South Wales East MS made the comments in a keynote speech at the ‘Voluntary Voice’ event organised by Torfaen Voluntary Alliance. Peredur told the volunteers at the Coed Eva and Hollybush Community Centre (the White Hut) that “our communities would be much poorer in spirit and kindness without you.”

He added: “I know you do not do this for the praise but please know that your selflessness is appreciated. I don’t think you are always told this enough.”

People sat at tables at conference
The Torfaen Voluntary Alliance event was held in the White Hut

Peredur said community spirit is alive and well in Wales.

“Anyone who may have thought this tradition had been lost over the years only need to look at how our communities responded to the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

“Throughout Wales, people collectively gave up thousands of hours of their time to ensure that vulnerable neighbours needing to shield had their groceries and medication delivered to their doorstep.

“During the peaks of the pandemic, when despair was all too easy to find, I took great solace in this heart-warming and human response.”