How do I handle a long gap on my résumé? - what worked for you?

My résumé shows a gap from a layoff and some health issues. It has been a long 21 weeks. I have done some volunteering and a course during that time. What do you say in interviews?

I listed the volunteering and course under the same dates and kept the explanation to a sentence in the cover letter.

I was hired after a 10-month gap. The manager said the skills test mattered more than the dates.