The charity was established to support older people, living with dementia, depression or those who are lonely, through the use of memories of football and sport.
It recently launched a project across the Teesside area, training local organisations and volunteers to run weekly groups that use the history and heritage of sport to trigger discussions to help to establish new friendships and keep people connected.
The training session was held at the club’s Riverside stadium and Middlesbrough Football Club Community Foundation are supporting the plans for the project.
Tony Jameson-Allen, co-founder & director of Sporting Memories network CIC and The Sporting Memories Foundation, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be selected as one of this season's chosen charities by Middlesbrough.
"We kicked off work with Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation earlier this year, using the history and heritage of the club to support older Boro fans living locally.
“There are so many stories to be told and memories to be shared, especially with this season being the 20th anniversary of the move from Ayresome Park to the Riverside Stadium.
"The club's support is going to be invaluable in helping us to reach more elderly people, to tackle loneliness and to help those living with dementia and depression by setting up more sporting memories groups across Teesside."
Downing, who has won 35 caps for the Three Lions, was joined by team-mate and Boro left-back George Friend to launch the initiative.
The innovative approach to keeping older fans and former players connected was recognised at last year’s Football Business Awards when Sporting Memories was voted Best Football Community Scheme.
The charity will benefit from a matchday bucket collection throughout the season, signed club merchandise and a dinner at the Riverside Stadium.
For more info visit Sportingmemoriesnetwork.com/boro
