Resources
We have developed multiple resources to support people affected by MCAS and those caring for people with MCAS.
Some of our resources are for children and families, others are for adults. Use the tabs at the bottom of this page to find the right resources for you.
Could you help us to create more resources to support the MCAS community? Your generosity will enable us to create vital resources to support and empower the MCAS community, ensuring that individuals and families affected by MCAS receive the care and information they need. Your contribution will make a real difference to those living with MCAS.
Supporting reasonable adjustments in the workplace
We are delighted that our reasonable adjustments support pack is finally ready! From knowing your rights, to informing your employer about MCAS or implementing policies and reasonable adjustments to support you in the workplace, we've got it covered! Download the full pack here.
Please do get in touch to let us know if the pack has helped you!
This work has been made possible by an award from Postcode Places Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
With thanks to Annisha Sidhu and Katya Kozary for making this project possible.
Accessibility
We are committed to making our resources accessible to everyone in our community. We understand that some individuals may experience electromagnetic sensitivity (EMF) or prefer hard copies of materials for various reasons.
If you prefer/require hard copies of materials, we are happy to provide alternative formats whenever possible. Please reach out to us here. We will do our utmost to assist you and ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible.
Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone can fully engage with our content and discussions. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding accessibility, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Your feedback helps us continually improve our efforts to ensure that everyone feels welcome and supported.
Back to School: Supporting Safe Learning
We are thrilled to introduce our 'Supporting Safe Learning for Students with MCAS' resource pack, designed to help you work with your child's school to create a secure and nurturing educational environment for students with MCAS.
This comprehensive pack is available in three versions: one specifically for students, one for teachers, and a combined version. Each version offers tailored strategies, tools, and resources to support the unique needs of students with MCAS.
The combined pack includes a template letter to be sent to teachers, which you can use to communicate the specific needs and accommodations for your child or the child you care for.
If you do download the pack, we would love to hear your feedback!
School Freedom Kit
After nearly 18 months of work, our Freedom Kit is finally ready to share!
This kit is a resource for families to use to share information with schools in order to help create a plan for children with MCAS in education settings. The kit has information about MCAS and spaces to record information about your child or the child you care for with MCAS to make it easier to share this with education and childcare settings.
We would love to hear your feedback about this resource.
Download the full pack here!
Casper the Chameleon
We are delighted to have published a children's book, Casper the Chameleon. Written by our very own Director of Operations, Joy Mason.
Order your copy for free by completing this form.
We would like to thank Dr Louise Lightfoot for her collaboration on our Casper the chameleon story and Ivy Lewis, our Illustrator. With special thanks to: Tania Freeman for her invaluable expertise as a child creative therapist and for helping to deliver the many supporting resources which have helped bring Casper to life.
The book was created thanks to our Wellbeing Fund. The fund is designed to create sustainable resources to continue to benefit the wellbeing of our community.
Parent support leaflet
Our parent support leaflet has developed to help support parents and carers of children living with systemic mast cell activation and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
It provides suggestions for how to care for your personal mental wellbeing whilst caring for someone with MCAS, and shares ideas and suggestions for how to communicate and support each other as a family.
In this leaflet, we hope to share ideas and suggestions that support a positive way of thinking and approaching a new way of family life, whilst accepting the challenges that may lay ahead.
Download our newly launched parent support leaflet here
Are you able to help us?
Our mission is to provide invaluable resources and support to individuals and families living with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). We understand the challenges and complexities that come with managing this condition, and we're dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected.
However, we can't do it alone.
As a non-profit organisation, we rely on the generosity and support of individuals like you, to continue our important work. Your contributions enable us to maintain and expand our range of resources, including educational materials, support groups, research initiatives, and more.
By donating, you're directly impacting the MCAS community, offering hope and assistance to those who need it most. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference and is deeply appreciated. If you can, please donate here.
Resources for families
Arranging education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs
This guidance outlines how local authorities and schools can best support children who cannot attend school because of physical or mental health needs.
Lesson Planning Questions for MCAS Considerations
This list can help teachers and other educators to include students living with MCAS, when planning lessons and classroom activities
Supporting Safe Learning for Students with MCAS Full Pack
This full resource pack is designed to help you share vital information about mast cell disorder with schools.
Supporting Safe Learning for Students with MCAS for Teachers
This resource has been designed to explain Mast Cell Activation Syndrome to Teachers and guide them in creating a safe environment for pupils.
Supporting Safe Learning for Students with MCAS
This kit has been specially designed for parents and primary caregivers of secondary school students who have a mast cell disorder, such as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Triggers
This resource details some of the more common triggers of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Symptoms of MCAS
This resource details some of the more common symptoms of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
MCAS Testing
This leaflet documents some of the tests that may be used to diagnose MCAS and explains how to read the results.
MCAS for Disability Officers
This information guide about MCAS, and the additional needs a student with MCAS may have, can be shared with Disability Officers and other members of staff at universities.
MCAS and higher education
This resource has been designed to provide general guidance and help students to access support as they approach further education at university.
Full school pack
This PDF combines our freedom kit, MCAS for teachers pack and letter for schools in one handy download.
Freedom Kit
The resource pack to help you to share vital information about your child's mast cell disorder with school and other care-givers.
MCAS for teachers
This pack can be used to share information about MCAS with teachers and other care-givers.
Letter for schools
Use this letter template along with the Freedom kit to share your child's needs with their school or childcare provider
The histamine bucket exercise
This histamine bucket is a useful visual aid in trying to understand the impact of factors contributing to histamine levels.
Doctor visit preparation form
A form designed to help you to plan the questions you would like to ask and symptoms you would like to discuss at medical appointments.
Wellbeing resources for families
Navigating MCAS together - Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Support Guide for Loved Ones
This guide is for those who are supporting a loved-one with MCAS, and includes advice on maintaining your own physical and emotional health, as well as practical guidance on how you can support your loved-one.
The Histamine Bucket Theory
This histamine bucket theory is a useful visual aid in trying to understand the impact of factors contributing to histamine levels.
Travelling with MCAS
This downloadable booklet contains tips and resources for managing Mast Cell Activation Disorders on the go, wherever you go.
Knowing our values
Knowing our values is important to help us to achieve fulfilment. Use this guide to help you plan what you need to be doing in order to feel a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
Life Audit
Are you meeting your Core Needs? Conducting a life audit can be an insightful exercise to help you evaluate and enhance your overall wellbeing.
Symptoms of MCAS
This resource details some of the more common symptoms of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Boom and bust cycle theory for Kids
In the world of chronic illness, it's normal to have good and not-so-good days. But if you do too much on the good days, you can end up needing extra rest on the not-so-good days. It's like a seesaw that goes up and down.
Progressive muscle relaxation
When we feel worried or are in 'fight, flight or freeze' mode, our muscles can become tight without us even realising it. To help ourselves feel calmer, we can try focusing on each group of muscles in our body.
Meditation by Deborah Bircham with music shanti by Annie Brunson
A short mindfulness practice for those feeling illness or discomfort
Mast cells and the mind
A PDF to support our session on mast cells and the mind by Deborah Bircham
My Feel better plan
When we are feeling worried or scared it can be tricky to find a way to feel better about the things that are bothering us. Download and complete this plan which you can follow when those worries feel overwhelming.
The Spoon Theory
People with chronic illnesses like MCAS often have limited energy. In the spoon theory, by Christine Miserandino, this is represented as having 12 spoons per day. This can help to explain the impact of some everyday tasks on those living with chronic illness.
The puzzle of you
In the same way that a jigsaw is made up of lots of different pieces, each of us are madeup of lots of different parts too. This puzzle can help you to talk about MCAS being just one part of that puzzle.
Your wellbeing bucket
An exercise to help children identify the things which make them feel good, those which don't and what helps them to feel better when things aren't going so well.
Ball of wool game
The ball of worries activity introduces children to a practical coping strategy to make thoughts and worries appear more manageable.
Parent support leaflet
A leaflet designed to help support parents and carers of children living with systemic mast cell activation and MCAS. It provides suggestions for how to care for your personal wellbeing whilst caring for someone with MCAS, and shares ideas and suggestions for how to communicate and support each other as a family.
Feel good jar
An exercise to help you find the activities that make you feel good and may help to improve your mood. Suitable for children and adults.
Perceived stress scale - Adults
This worksheet helps you to estimate your personal stress levels and gives you an idea of your current wellbeing.
Mood check-in sheet - children
This is a quick and easy resource designed to help you, and those that care about you, to check-in with how you are doing.
Resources for adults
Introduction to Water Purifiers
Handout on different types of water purifiers, created by Deborah Bircham
Triggers
This resource details some of the more common triggers of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Symptoms of MCAS
This resource details some of the more common symptoms of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
MCAS Testing
This leaflet documents some of the tests that may be used to diagnose MCAS and explains how to read the results.
Reasonable adjustments in the workplace full pack
This is our full pack with multiple resources to support requesting reasonable adjustments in the workplace with MCAS.
Understanding your rights and advocating for yourself in the workplace - a guide for people with MCAS
This guide helps you to understand your rights and the support that could be put into place in your workplace to help you.
MCAS for employers
This guide for employers explains MCAS and the support that could be put into place in the workplace for those with MCAS.
An MCAS-friendly workplace - cheat sheet
This cheat sheet has top tips that might be helpful when creating an MCAS-friendly work place.
Reasonable adjustment passport
A workplace adjustments passport is a live record of all workplace adjustments agreed with your employer.
Template for requesting reasonable adjustments
This template may be helpful when requesting reasonable adjustments from your employer.
Reasonable Adjustments Reflection Template.
This table may support you to break down the reasonable adjustments that could be made to support you in your workplace.
Letter challenging a refusal to make reasonable adjustments
This letter may be useful if you need to challenge a refusal to implement reasonable adjustments in your workplace.
Reasonable Adjustments Policy Template
This template policy can be shared with your workplace to support the development and implementation of a reasonable adjustment policy.
MCAS for Disability Officers
This information guide about MCAS, and the additional needs a student with MCAS may have, can be shared with Disability Officers and other members of staff at universities.
MCAS and higher education
This resource has been designed to provide general guidance and help students to access support as they approach further education at university.
The histamine bucket exercise
This histamine bucket is a useful visual aid in trying to understand the impact of factors contributing to histamine levels.
Doctor visit preparation form
A form designed to help you to plan the questions you would like to ask and symptoms you would like to discuss at medical appointments.
Wellbeing resources for adults
Navigating MCAS together - Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Support Guide for Loved Ones
This guide is for those who are supporting a loved-one with MCAS, and includes advice on maintaining your own physical and emotional health, as well as practical guidance on how you can support your loved-one.
Seated Qigong Guide
This is a seated Qigong guide which focusses on posture, Neck, Shoulders and Spine.
Mindfulness, Mindful Breathing and Mast Cells
This guide explains the benefits of Mindfulness and breathwork and provides short exercises to try.
Lotus Flower Breathing
Lotus Flower Breathing is a gentle breathing exercise that helps to calm the nervous system and reduce stress. With thanks to Deborah Bircham from Live Well With Chronic Illness.
Hand Breathing
This simple breathing exercise has been provided to us by Deborah Bircham from Live Well With Chronic Illness.
Travelling with MCAS
This downloadable booklet contains tips and resources for managing Mast Cell Activation Disorders on the go, wherever you go.
Knowing our values
Knowing our values is important to help us to achieve fulfilment. Use this guide to help you plan what you need to be doing in order to feel a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
Life Audit
Are you meeting your Core Needs? Conducting a life audit can be an insightful exercise to help you evaluate and enhance your overall wellbeing.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Adults
When we experience anxiety or stress, our muscles can tense up. Progressive muscle relaxation can help to alleviate this tension and promote a sense of calm.
Boom and bust cycle theory for adults
In the world of chronic illness, it's entirely normal to experience both 'good' and 'bad' days. However, if you overexert yourself on the good days, it can lead to an overcompensation of rest on the bad days. Trying to find a smoother path with more balance to your ‘good’ and ‘bad’ days can help to stop the cycle.
Meditation by Deborah Bircham with music shanti by Annie Brunson
A short mindfulness practice for those feeling illness or discomfort
Mast cells and the mind
A PDF to support our session on mast cells and the mind by Deborah Bircham
The Spoon Theory
People with chronic illnesses like MCAS often have limited energy. In the spoon theory, by Christine Miserandino, this is represented as having 12 spoons per day. This can help to explain the impact of some everyday tasks on those living with chronic illness.
Perceived stress scale - Adults
This worksheet helps you to estimate your personal stress levels and gives you an idea of your current wellbeing.
Mood check in sheet - Adult
This is a quick and easy resource designed to help you, and those that care about you, to check-in with how you are doing.
Self-management
The Histamine Bucket Theory
This histamine bucket theory is a useful visual aid in trying to understand the impact of factors contributing to histamine levels.
Life Audit
Are you meeting your Core Needs? Conducting a life audit can be an insightful exercise to help you evaluate and enhance your overall wellbeing.
Triggers
This resource details some of the more common triggers of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Symptoms of MCAS
This resource details some of the more common symptoms of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Recipe Conversion
You can use this blank recipe conversion page to note down any MCAS friendly changes you have made to your favourite recipe's.
MCAS Self-management toolkit
This toolkit contains information about substances in food and in the environment that can affect mast cell activity or trigger MCAS symptoms. It also includes practical advice to help you understand and avoid these triggers, as needed.
MCAS symptom log
The histamine bucket exercise
This histamine bucket is a useful visual aid in trying to understand the impact of factors contributing to histamine levels.
Swiss Interest Group Histamine Intolerance (SIGHI)
SIGHI is an organisation that provides information about histamine-related disorders.
The low histamine chef
Blogs, books and recipes written by the low histamine chef (Yasmina Ykelenstam), a health journalist who has managed her own histamine intolerance for more than 10 years.
Medication log - adult
A medication timetable to log daily medications
Medication log - children
A medication log blank which you can use to record medications, dosages and medication times in order to keep on track.
Resources for School
Lesson Planning Questions for MCAS Considerations
This list can help teachers and other educators to include students living with MCAS, when planning lessons and classroom activities
Supporting Safe Learning for Students with MCAS Full Pack
This full resource pack is designed to help you share vital information about mast cell disorder with schools.
Supporting Safe Learning for Students with MCAS for Teachers
This resource has been designed to explain Mast Cell Activation Syndrome to Teachers and guide them in creating a safe environment for pupils.
Supporting Safe Learning for Students with MCAS
This kit has been specially designed for parents and primary caregivers of secondary school students who have a mast cell disorder, such as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
MCAS for Disability Officers
This information guide about MCAS, and the additional needs a student with MCAS may have, can be shared with Disability Officers and other members of staff at universities.
MCAS and higher education
This resource has been designed to provide general guidance and help students to access support as they approach further education at university.
Full school pack
This PDF combines our freedom kit, MCAS for teachers pack and letter for schools in one handy download.
Freedom Kit
The resource pack to help you to share vital information about your child's mast cell disorder with school and other care-givers.
MCAS for teachers
This pack can be used to share information about MCAS with teachers and other care-givers.
Letter for schools
Use this letter template along with the Freedom kit to share your child's needs with their school or childcare provider
"I just wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt 'thank you' from all our family for your lovely chameleon book and discussion cards. We're in a tough place at the moment where both our sons have crashed with a huge flare-up of their mast cell disorder. And your book was there to help us open the conversation with them about why their bodies are feeling the way they are and to help them find the words and space to tell us how it feels for them."
By donating to Mast Cell Action, you will directly contribute to the development of essential resources that support and uplift the MCAS community. Your generosity will help us to provide critical information, advocacy, and care to those affected by MCAS. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and improve lives. You can donate here.
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Sign up to become a Friend of Mast Cell Action so we can keep you up to date on our progress and on how to get involved in our latest campaigns and initiatives.
Donate
Mast Cell Action relies entirely on the generosity of people like you. Please make a donation now and together we can make a difference to those affected by MCAS.