The Mary Magdalen Foundation was founded by Sister Elizabeth of the Little Company of Mary. Sister Elizabeth was asked by her order to set up an Outdoor Mission in 1963 to help the poor and sick in their own homes. Originally she had only a small room to work from but in the last years she used the whole house at 6 Marlborough Road. During those years Sister Elizabeth saw the distress caused to families from the disease of alcoholism and she set out to provide a service to help the individual sufferer and the family.

In time Sister Elizabeth felt that the work should be expanded and a better service provided so with a group of dedicated helpers she managed to obtain a lease on the Old Radford Road Police Station, which was vandalised and dilapidated. She became involved in every Agency, statutory and voluntary, which gave assistance to the alcoholic andthe family. Her priority was to keep the families together and in 1987 she achieved her dream, The Mary Magdalen Foundation opened its doors.
Sister Elizabeth's one desire from the beginning was to set up a Board of Trustees so that her work would be perpetuated. The trustees are dedicated to continuing Sister Elizabeth's work and have been fortunate in receiving funding from the Primary Care Trus and support from professionals, volunteers, benefactors and helpers over the years.
In honour of her work for the community Sister Elizabeth became Nottingham's first Citizen of Honour and was presented to Her Majesty.

The trustees and sisters of The Little Company of Mary are still today continuing her work, and offer their full support, time and dedication to The Mary Magdalen Foundation. Without which it would not be what it is today - what the clients call 'Their Sanctuary'.