Sadly I think the lack of heli syndicates is purely down to cost.
Most fixed wing syndicates operate eiter four seat tourers or something that can be flung round the sky in aerobatic manoeuvers. However, even then the costs are typically around £4k to £6k to join a group of 4 to 6 depending on the aircraft.
£50k buys you an R22 with no engine fund. Now £5k for a group of 10 seems okay initially, but you have limited range payload and performance and therfore there is not a huge amount you can do with the aircraft. Even then a group of 10 makes availability an issue.
Now consider an R44. More than 10 members could make the availability a problem so the cost to the individuals becomes huge comparatively. £10k plus I would suggest for which you could have a decent share in an IFR twin or even an ex-military jet.
Just my humble opinion,
Obs cop