Loughton becomes Ambition ambassador

In his role, Loughton plans to support Ambition’s aim to improve youth work standards across the UK.

On his appointment, Loughton said youth clubs and projects could benefit whole communities as well as young people.

“Whether these organisations are big or small, in an increasingly competitive sector there is a need to be confident in showing the public and potential funders that they are doing a good job and are providing young people, who are often disadvantaged, with the support they deserve,” he said.

“I’m delighted to accept the role of ambassador for Ambition. Improving the quality of youth work both within and outside of its membership is central to the charity’s goals.”

Ambition chief executive Helen Marshall said Loughton shared the charity’s outlook that youth policy “should remain at the top of the agenda”.

“He has championed the importance of young people’s involvement in making decisions on the issues that affect their communities, on which Ambition believes all good quality youth work should be based,” said Marshall.

Ambition – formerly Clubs for Young People – is one of Britain’s oldest youth organisations with a 90-year history.

In May, the Department for Education awarded Ambition and a consortium of 12 youth organisations £1.3m of funding over two years to encourage schools and pupils to access arts and sports provision in 15 MyPlace centres.

Loughton is also a patron of Electric Storm Youth, a local youth organisation in his constituency of Worthing and Shoreham.

And he is currently chair of the National Youth Agency’s commission into the value of youth work within formal education in England and Wales.