St Albans Museum + Gallery will host a range of free activities next week to mark International ME Awareness Day.

The Hertfordshire ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) Support Group has been community in residence at the museum for the past year.

They will mark the awareness day on Sunday, May 12 with live music, poetry readings and crafts.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: The #MissingMillions campaign last yearThe #MissingMillions campaign last year (Image: Herts ME/CFS Support Group)

There are additional displays throughout the month, including a large installation in the Assembly Room, video art, objects and a display on the railing outside the museum.

The displays produced by the group will include information about ME, CFS and other chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, long covid and post-viral fatigue symptoms.

Maxine Ellis, from the support group, said: "Being creative and having opportunities to stay social and connected can be really important when you are living with chronic illness. 

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"We are delighted to have this opportunity to display some of our members' creative work at St Albans Museum + Gallery in May.

"People who suffer with ME/CFS or other related illnesses are often 'missing' from society due to extreme fatigue, pain, and post exertional malaise.

"This series of events will help to give them a presence in support of the annual #MillionsMissing campaign."