Matthew Lock is one of the development officers providing advice, support and information to disabled people wanting to take part in sport and physical activity. He also helps providers and organisations offer sport and physical opportunities to disabled people. His post is one of several funded by London Councils.  Matthew explains

Matthew's story

"Altogether I work with six local authorities – Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith and Fulham. Together we identify mainstream sports clubs that don't offer inclusive facilities. I then support the club to create new opportunities for disabled people. We want to make sure that sports bodies and clubs realise it is their responsibility to offer inclusive opportunities.

We don't deliver services but I identify gaps in provision for disabled people and support organisations so they can link with the relevant partners that can deliver those services. For example, people with cerebral palsy don't often have the opportunity to play football so I've linked the football club, Queens Park Rangers, with the charity Scope, who offer them training, advice and expert knowledge on the impairment. Scope also help QPR target their services so they reach the right people.

Similarly, I have worked with Ealing Swimming Club, an independent club with over 5,000 members, that didn't traditionally have provision for disabled people. Together we identified an impairment group – they said they wanted to work with people with physical disabilities and again I teamed them up with Scope which is now providing training to around 50 of their swimming coaches.

Last year, we created 'Inclusive and Active', a plan to increase participation in sport and physical activity for disabled people. The plan was drawn up in partnership with Sport England, the Mayor of London and London Councils. We want local councils to sign up to this – in west London, one borough has now fully signed up and I'm in discussions with two more councils.

I think it is paramount to provide equal opportunities that enable disabled people to participate in sporting activities. Disabled people want to participate in the same sports and physical activities as non-disabled people. Fortunately, this is now on people's agenda and organisations are keen to work with me to take this forward."