Gwen Dickens is an elderly lady who cares for her husband Ron who suffers from Alzheimers. Gwen tells us what life is really like for someone in her position and describes how Hampshire County Council has supported both her and her husband throughout this difficult time.

Personalisation means that services are tailored to a person's specific needs and Ron and Gwen Dickens are just one example of the County Council helping people live an independent life, whilst giving individuals and their carers the support they need.

"Ron has always been an athlete and the council has arranged carers to take him swimming every week…the time I have for myself is precious and Ron really enjoys his time there" Gwen.

• Listen to Gwen's story

Our commissioners have heard powerful testimony from people like Tony Holland from Andover, whose 25 year old daughter Sabine has a severe learning disability. Although Sabine is slow at processing information and has a speech problem, her father says she is more than able to make choices.

Two years ago they were one of the first families in Hampshire to get a personal budget so they could manage their own care. Up until then the only option offered to Sabine was to attend day services and she was always reluctant to go to a place where she didn't want to be. Under the new system Tony sat down with Sabine and people in her circle of support to listen to her choices and he became ‘the fixer’, organising activities which were of more interest to her.

Since then Sabine has been playing tennis, which she never did before; she’s been away for a weekend without her parents for the first time and Tony has arranged for her to work on a farm as well as get some work experience in a local café. He’s on hand to react quickly to any changing circumstances and although it may have been extra work, Tony says that it has been more than worth it to see her happy smiling face as she comes in the door. She’s more independent and she can now lead a life. As far as we are concerned this Self Directed Support is a much better system than the impersonal and unresponsive one that existed before.”